Incontinence during pregnancy and after childbirth
Why Bladder Weakness Happens and How to Manage It
No trip without a toilet nearby—does this thought sound familiar? Many women experience increased urinary urgency during pregnancy and worry when a few drops of urine leak involuntarily. In this article, you’ll learn why bladder weakness during pregnancy and after childbirth is completely normal—and how you can still lead an active lifestyle.
Causes of bladder weakness during pregnancy
Just at the beginning of pregnancy, many women complain of strong urinary urgency; in the third trimester, some pregnant women also experience incontinence. The cause of the increased urinary urgency is initially the hormonal change: the pregnancy hormone progesterone relaxes the muscles – including the bladder muscles. Additionally, the growing uterus presses on the bladder in early pregnancy when it is still small within the pelvis, further intensifying the feeling of urgency – increased trips to the bathroom are therefore quite normal and not a cause for concern. As the pregnancy progresses, the pressure on the bladder increases: in many women, so-called stress incontinence occurs. The reason often lies in weakened pelvic floor muscles. The increasing weight of the baby stretches and strains the pelvic floor muscles, thereby promoting bladder weakness. If you cough, sneeze, laugh, or jump, you may involuntarily leak urine.
Another—rarer—type of bladder weakness during pregnancy is urge incontinence . If you frequently experience sudden urges to urinate and leak urine before reaching the toilet, you are probably affected by this type of bladder weakness. The cause is not the pelvic floor muscles; instead, neurological disorders, urinary tract infections, or a deficiency of the female hormone estrogen can be triggers.
There are certain factors that increase the likelihood of incontinence during pregnancy. You belong to the Risk group , if you:
Are over 35 years old at the time of your first pregnancy
Are extremely overweight
Smoked before pregnancy
Already have urinary incontinence
Have a genetic predisposition to bladder weakness
Have pelvic floor weakness
Incontinence after childbirth
Pregnancy and childbirth place significant strain on your pelvic floor muscles. Therefore, about one in five women after a vaginal birth are affected by bladder weakness - particularly common with stress urinary incontinence. Vaginal delivery stretches and weakens the pelvic floor significantly, so it takes time for it to regenerate. Especially during a long Ejection phase , the pelvic floor is under considerable strain. To counteract bladder weakness, in most cases, targeted pelvic floor training helps. However, you should not rush anything or start an extensive workout right away. Give your body time to recover. Take the Postpartum period as a break and enjoy the time with your baby. Your midwife probably knows a few simple exercises that will help you gradually strengthen your pelvic floor again. Learn more about when and how you can start postpartum recovery gently, and which exercises are beneficial, in the article " Pelvic floor training after childbirth ".
If you experience bladder weakness after childbirth due to your pelvic floor, you should be able to regain control of your bladder after about eight weeks. If that is not yet the case, feel free to bring up the topic with your gynecologist—neither during pregnancy nor after childbirth should incontinence be uncomfortable for you.
Tips for bladder weakness during pregnancy and after childbirth
Use special incontinence products such as Inserts , Pants or absorbent underwear - normal pads are not sufficient to reliably absorb urine. Our Vivoy Products absorb liquids reliably and help prevent odors—while remaining skin-friendly and breathable. Especially practical: You can simply add the Vivoy products to your LILLYDOO diaper subscription as well. This way, you’ll have both conveniently delivered to your home. Of course, you can adjust your subscription at any time if you no longer need inserts, pants, and co. Now nothing stands in the way of an active everyday life!
Better to go more often than too rarely: Visit the toilet more frequently, even if you don’t yet feel a strong urge to urinate.
Drink enough ! At least 1.5 to 2 liters in the form of water, unsweetened teas (not black tea), or spritzers. Don’t drink less out of fear—this can actually worsen the symptoms.
Variety and dietary fiber should not be missing from your menu. This reduces the risk of constipation, because straining during bowel movements increases the risk of incontinence. In our article " Proper Nutrition During Pregnancy you will find a practical list for a balanced diet.
If you feel you need to cough, sneeze, or laugh, engage your pelvic floor muscles . It can also help to cross your legs or press them firmly together.
Train your pelvic floor : Special pelvic floor training or light sports activity such as Pilates , swimming, walking, gymnastics, or yoga several times a week are ideal.
Especially during the first months of pregnancy, when the due date still seems far away, a wet spot in your underwear can put you on high alert. You might be wondering: Was that urine, or am I leaking amniotic fluid? Is it a premature water break? Do you need to go to the hospital? For now, the most important thing is to stay calm and carefully observe what type of fluid you have lost.
You can distinguish amniotic fluid from urine and discharge by a few features :
Thin consistency, like water
Usually transparent to slightly pink in color
Slightly sweet aroma
Often a sudden onset
pH value above 7 (For orientation: the pH value in the vaginal environment is about 4 and in urine between 5 and 7)
If the symptoms are unclear and you suspect your water has broken, a special pH test glove from the pharmacy can provide clarity. If the result is above 7, you should consult your doctor immediately for clarification—as well as if you .
Your body goes through major changes during pregnancy and after childbirth. Don’t let bladder weakness spoil your everyday life and time with your little explorer; instead, take the opportunity to get to know and love yourself anew. We wish you a wonderful pregnancy!
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Foire aux questions
When does bladder weakness occur during pregnancy?
Women often notice increased urinary frequency at the beginning of pregnancy - this is due to hormonal changes and pressure on the bladder caused by the growing uterus. This pressure increases throughout pregnancy with the baby's weight, and the pelvic floor is heavily stressed, leading to often stress incontinence in the third trimester.
How can I prevent incontinence after childbirth?
With targeted pelvic floor training during pregnancy, you can strengthen your muscles and thus prevent incontinence. Since pregnancy and vaginal delivery place a significant strain on your pelvic floor, it is normal to experience temporary incontinence despite training.
How long does incontinence last after childbirth?
If you experience incontinence due to your weakened pelvic floor after childbirth, you should be able to hold urine again around eight weeks later. Talk to your midwife or your doctor about when you can start pelvic floor exercises and which exercises are suitable for you. If the training does not help, you should seek medical advice again.
