Postpartum Incontinence

[texmati]

Anyone else going through this?

I keep reading about leaking while sneezing or jogging, but that's not what's happening to me. I'm 3 days pp, and I'm just leaking pee-- it's falling out of me. I have absolutely no control, and I have no idea I'm doing it until it's already done. 

My ob and the nurses at the hospital were saying to give it some time, but at that point, I didn't realize how bad the problem was. I thought I was just not making it to the bathroom on time (stress incontinence?), but really, I'm actually filling up my pad with pee everytime I get up.

Does anyone have any btdt advice or even has had this problem and it gotten better with time? I can't imagine waiting 6 weeks to do something about this.

[Banana731]

I wish I had a story to share with you, but I have not had this experience, or known anyone who has. With the unusual tear you had, especially, I think it would be totally warranted for you to call them up and tell them what's going on.

I've been reading some really interesting things about kegeling, or rather it not being so helpful to just kegel kegel kegel, squats are (apparently)  where it's at for pelvic floor strengthening, when you can of course!

[CEG]

It's possible for your bladder to be "traumatized" by delivery.  I think more common in those who have had epidurals.  If you are not already, be sure to pee at regular intervals (maybe every hour or 2 if you can) to prevent your bladder from getting overfull.  Avoid anything irritating, caffeine, etc.  This should improve rapidly over a fairly short time and if the problem remains there are several different options.  I know many people (including the physicians I work for as a CNM, yikes) are not aware that there are physical therapists specializing in this area.  Definitely call and get some help though!

[texmati]

Ok. I'm definitely going to call. I had horrible SPD this pregnancy, and wanted to start PT at 6 weeks pp (especially now that I have new insurance.). It's really, really, really good to know that this isn't normal, and I'm going to call the dr's office ASAP. With all the bleeding, I didn't realize that I had so little control until yesterday.

I didn't have an epidural, but requested a catheter during labor because I simply couldn't pee--- I had been trying since labor began and could not get it out for some reason. I wonder if that would have the same effect.

I am drinking a diet coke as I write this-- (my last, I swear!); and am defnitely trying to pee more often. The problem is m

[texmati]

well... I called the office and they said that all we could do is wait. I just burst into tears at that point. I'm going to take dh's advice and not freak out until next friday. I just wish there were some positive stories about this getting better on its own; but I don't see any. I can only find loads of people saying they have this problem years post partum.

[mambera]

Hugs to you, sorry this happened.  I would try not to freak out yet.  I bet people for whom it resolves quickly don't post on the internet as much.

I went to your other thread and read about your tear.  If it doesn't resolve on its own, I'd wonder whether you might have torn into your urethra or bladder.  If that's the case it should be fixable.  Try  not to worry too much yet.

[PudnHead]

With my 1st child, a week or two after birth, I had a hard time trying to figure out when I had to go.  Most times, I had to run into the bathroom and peed a little on the way there.  The situation resolved itself within a week or so.  I retained a lot of water with that pregnancy and I think it was the water finally being expelled from my boday.  With my second, I had incontinent problems during the latter part of the pregnancy and it continued after birth.  The problem wasn't as bad but it didn't resolved itself for a couple of months.

I don't know if this will help you, but there is some hope that it won't last forever.

[Dmitrizmom]

Hey Tex.  I had some pretty severe urinary incontinence after ds was born.  I had leaking urine issues, couldn't slow let alone stop the flow, no warning that the bladder was going to let loose for over a month after he was born.  For about 3 months after, I was religious about making sure I went to the bathroom every hour or more frequently so that I didn't wet my pants.  It slowly got better.  Still have occasional problems with stress incontinence when I cough, sneeze and sometimes when I run.  But I've had 2 more babies since him and had brief flares to almost that level.  At some point, when life is less stressful and I have better insurance, I do plan on seeing a PT that specializes in this.

Sucks to have the issue.  Hope that yours resolves to a manageable level soon.

[texmati]

Thanks for the responses. I spent a good bit of time yesterday crying about this-- it's just so disheartening. I've been 'sick' (pregnancy, spd, c-section recovery, pregnant, spd...) for so long that I was really hoping this vaginal delivery would help me get my life back.

Dimitriz mom, how did you deal? Should I be considering getting diapers? Since I'm constantly wet, I feel like I'm basically getting a diaper rash on top of all the soreness down there.

[Dmitrizmom]

I went through a lot of pads (heavy flow, overnight type, with wings), changing them every time I went to the bathroom.  TBH, it sucked. 

I hope that things improve for you soon... and that if they aren't, that you are able to get a referral to someone who can help.

When you called the office, who did you talk to?  If it was just the receptionist or the nurse, be a pain in the @ss and make them have the doctor call you.

[maryeliz]

It seems like there are a lot of postpartum issues that do resolve on their own-and I hope this does, but with your symptoms I would be concerned that it was a fistula or other serious issue.  It makes sense that your doc would want to wait and see for a bit, but I would also expect him/her to take this seriously and talk to you about what the problem could be and what the next steps would be to address the problem.  To me, "wait six weeks" is not an acceptable answer.  Do you have the option of seeing someone else if you're not improving in a week?

[and I would second that if you haven't already, you should talk to the doctor directly]

[Mama2Xander]

That sounds pretty concerning to me, especially with your tearing you mentioned in the other post. Being "constantly wet" is not normal, and your tear will not be able to heal like that. I would insist on being evaluated asap, and if your doctor doesn't listen to you, get a second opinion. As a PP mentioned, I really think you need to make sure you don't have a fistula. I know that sounds scary, but if you do have a fistula or other injury, it can be repaired. Sometimes if an injury to the anterior vaginal wall is very minor it can heal up on its own if a catheter is kept in place to drain the urine straight from the bladder, so that it is not constantly irritating the torn area. 

[CEG]

These things do usually improve on their own (at least to some degree) over time.  That said, if you want to be seen (and I think you are totally justified and correct to want to be seen) call your doctor or midwife back and make them see you.  Otherwise you could certainly see another provider.  I think it is too early to see a urologist-- especially because surgery should be a last resort.  Depending on your insurance you may be able to self refer to a PT but you could just call around to some PT places and ask.  I don't know where you are located but the Rehabiliation Institute of Chicago has a whole women's health program.  You could maybe call them or check out their website and at least get some ideas. 

[A&A]

Sounds like you could have a fistula.  If so, it won't fix itself. 

[etsdtm99]

I had some bladder issues PP .. they weren't the same as yours, i'm not sure what was wrong.. but i was about 3 weeks pp when i ended up with a UTI and finally totally broke down about it.. i was leaking pee, leaking at weird times (like just standing there right after i had gone), either feeling like i had to go all the time or not at all the symptoms changed every few days the first few weeks..  everything i read online when something new started happening said it was not normal and that i would likely deal with it for a long time and i was just so uncomfortable .. yet when i saw my midwife at 6 weeks  i was pretty much normal...  whatever was wrong resolved itself ..  so, while i was not wanting to just wait - just waiting worked, i guess that is what i'm saying.. while in your case it might be good to rule out other issues sooner, time is a very hopeful thing and maybe all those stories on the internet are about the people who didn't get better and there are other silent people who do/did?  (and i did go see a dr. about my issues due to the uti at 3 wks, and other than that they said to wait til my 6 week pp visit and see if it was better )  

[lilith1]

My youngest son is 1 year old and I still deal with some degree of incontinence, especially running, jumping, sneezing. It does get better little by little though, Kegel exercises helped me. I figure it took 10 months for my body to change before birth, it won't fix itself in a week.  As annoying as it is I wait another 6 months before I take serious steps. After 2 - 26 hour labors within 15 months it's o.k. If I would have felt there was something more serious going on I would have pushed for some testing.

[Banana731]

Do you think it's possible that you might have a UTI, since you got the cath, it might be part of the problem. You could treat yourself for that while you are trying to find someone to see. Cranberry concentrate capsules, there's s certainly no harm in that.  Maybe even some uva ursi?

[kittywitty]

Originally Posted by Banana731 

Do you think it's possible that you might have a UTI, since you got the cath, it might be part of the problem. You could treat yourself for that while you are trying to find someone to see. Cranberry concentrate capsules, there's s certainly no harm in that.  Maybe even some uva ursi?

I agree, but I would pull out the big guns if it's so bad you're leaking continuously. Honestly, I would go to the ER or Convenient care so they can check. Especially if your OB is unwilling to see you. That's ridiculous.

[scottishmommy]

I had the exact same problem for a few days postpartum. I remember feeling fluid just pouring out. At first I thought I was hemorrhaging and waddled to the bathroom in a panic. Nope just pee. I got better very quickly and could actually stop the flow of urine midstream by 6 weeks postpartum. Now I have no inontinence at all. Hang in there! It should get better very soon.

[texmati]

Originally Posted by Dmitrizmom 

I went through a lot of pads (heavy flow, overnight type, with wings), changing them every time I went to the bathroom.  TBH, it sucked. 

I hope that things improve for you soon... and that if they aren't, that you are able to get a referral to someone who can help.

When you called the office, who did you talk to?  If it was just the receptionist or the nurse, be a pain in the @ss and make them have the doctor call you.

Originally Posted by maryeliz 

It seems like there are a lot of postpartum issues that do resolve on their own-and I hope this does, but with your symptoms I would be concerned that it was a fistula or other serious issue.  It makes sense that your doc would want to wait and see for a bit, but I would also expect him/her to take this seriously and talk to you about what the problem could be and what the next steps would be to address the problem.  To me, "wait six weeks" is not an acceptable answer.  Do you have the option of seeing someone else if you're not improving in a week?

[and I would second that if you haven't already, you should talk to the doctor directly]

I didn't talk to the doctor but  I sure will on monday. I can't belive I just took, sorry nothing we can do, as an answer. If there really isn't anything they can do, then he should tell me that to my face.

I have good insurance, and could probably see most anyone, but I don't know who. I feel like I've bounced ob's so much-- I transfered care to this guy late in my pregnancy in hopes of getting vbac. I feel very little faith in him that he can help me with this issue. I liked my previous provider better, but she seemed to have little experience with vbacs. Even then.... how can I find someone who is an expert in this problem without even knowing what the problem is?

And just to get it out there because I'm so horrified by it, today my 7 day old newborn slept from 3am to 7am. I just fell asleep as well-- when I got up I peed buckets on myself for what felt like 5 minutes. absolutely no warning, and no way of stopping myself. I can't live like this. Other than this issue, my recovery is going great.