Loss of bladder control when coughing/sneezing

[anniepie1976]

Hi. I just had a baby boy five months ago. It was a rough pregnancy with IC flare all through it with nothing giving me relief. I am however recovering well from the IC for now since releasing the bowling ball in my stomach that pressed on my bladder causing me problems. The one thing I am concerned about and this started happening around the third trimester for me is when I sneeze or cough I would leak urine which I heard is normal even if you don't have IC. But towards the end it was really bad where I would leave puddles on the floor and actually thought my water broke one time! Anyways, I thought with my symptoms improving now that would have went away but apparently it didn't. I have a cold now so I have been coughing and sneezing a lot lately and peeing my pants! I never had this before pregnancy even with the IC I have had for ten yrs before I got pregnant. I was wondering if someone could tell me if this is an IC thing or just part of being a mother who went through a pregnancy? It kind of freaks me out when it happens. My other IC symptoms have improved. Not sure whats going on here. Please, if anyone can give me any input I'd really appreciate it! It's so humiliating! Thanks, Ann

[Katrina]

I suspect that your pregnancy may have really effected your PFD.....I would look into if you are retaining....and I would see if you can strengthen your Pelvic musscles. Beyond that could your bladder have prolapsed? Are you on an antispasmodic? Pregnancy is one thing that can really effect the pelvic musscles...I suspect that if your other symptoms are improving that it is the pelvic musscles that need some help now too. :grouphug:

[dg2901]

Leaking urine while sneezing/coughing/lifting/ or during other times of stress is known as "stress urinary incontinence". Its also not uncommon to show up after a pregnance, especially if delivery was vaginal. Unfortunately if Kegel exercises dont improve it the only other alternative is having a urethral sling placed to keep the urethra closed during stressful times. On a more promising note, the slings surgery is a quick procedure with little risk and immediate reward.

good luck
diana

[ICNDonna]

When I developed stress incontinence, and after it was determined that kegels were not going to solve the problem, I had a fairly simple surgical procedure, called a Raz procedure, which corrected the problem. It was some years later that I developed a prolapse and had to have the sling.

Stress incontinence is not normal, but the problem can almost always be corrected.

Donna