How to stop bladder leakage after giving birth

Did you know that Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI) is the most common form of incontinence affecting women right after they give birth?

This form of bladder leakage can occur after increased intra-abdominal pressure such as coughing, sneezing, laughing or exercise. Vaginal birth is one of the main causes of SUI due to stretching or trauma to the vagina and the surrounding soft tissue. Dr Anthony Rixon, cosmetic physician at enRich Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery Clinic, gives his top tips on how to deal with this embarrassing problem that affects many mums.

PELVIC FLOOR EXERCISES: Kegel exercises in pregnancy and afterwards are a good idea. Tighten your pelvic floor muscles, hold the contraction for five seconds, and then relax for five seconds. Maintain your focus. Repeat three times a day. By doing the exercises throughout your pregnancy, you can strengthen the muscles and help reduce or avoid stress incontinence after birth. However, they do require motivation to do them repeatedly every day, so try and get into the habit early.

SEE YOUR DOCTOR: Seek the advice of a medical professional, as a detailed history and examination are required to work out the type of incontinence and identify any exacerbating factors such as urinary tract infection, medications and certain medical problems.

DIET: Coffee and alcohol can irritate your bladder, so try to avoid them. Eating more fibre can prevent constipation, which is also a cause of urinary incontinence.