Urinary incontinence in pregnancy

Pregnancy is a wonderful and exciting time, but it can come with certain challenges for a woman’s body. These include urinary incontinence, a common condition that can affect women during pregnancy. Find out with Barza how to recognise urinary incontinence in pregnancy, and how to manage it when you do experience it.

Urinary incontinence in pregnancy: causes

Urinary incontinence in pregnancy can be caused by several factors. Here’s what they can be!

Fetal pressure

As the foetus grows in the womb, it can put pressure on the bladder and pelvic muscles, causing leakage of urine.

Hormones produced in pregnancy

Hormones produced during pregnancy (especially progesterone) can affect pelvic muscle tone. This leads to loss of bladder control. At the same time, relaxin, another hormone produced during pregnancy, helps, as its name suggests, to relax the pelvic ligaments and joints in preparation for childbirth. The action of relaxin can also lead to weakening of the pelvic muscles, which can cause urinary incontinence.

Symptoms of urinary incontinence in pregnancy

Urinary incontinence in pregnancy can vary in severity and can be experienced in different ways. Common symptoms include:

• involuntary loss of urine when coughing, sneezing or laughing;
• frequent and urgent need to urinate;
• inability to maintain urinary stream until the end;
• leakage of urine during physical activity or sleep.

How to get over bladder weakness in pregnancy more easily

There are several treatment options available to manage and treat it. The steps you can take generally focus on adopting a programme to help you manage the discomfort you are experiencing.

Dose your fluid intake carefully

You can get over the difficulty caused by uncontrolled urination more easily if you limit your fluid intake before bedtime. At the same time, avoiding drinks that can irritate your bladder (coffee, fizzy drinks) will reduce the need to urinate frequently.

Empty your bladder at regular intervals

Urinating at regular intervals can help prevent bladder overload. This way, you can reduce involuntary urine leakage.

Discover the benefits of Kegel exercises and include them in your routine

Let’s not forget, of course, Kegel exercises. They involve contracting and relaxing the pelvic muscles to strengthen them and improve function. We’re talking about simple and effective exercises that can be done anywhere and can help reduce the symptoms of bladder weakness.

Use absorbents for unintentional urine leakage

For more comfort and protection, you can use pads designed specifically for urinary incontinence. They retain significant amounts of urine and keep the intimate area clean. So you can continue to enjoy your daily activities without discomfort or fear of uncontrollable urine leakage.

Plus, for a textbook refresh and to keep fungal infections at bay, you can confidently use Barza’s baking soda intimate wipes whenever you feel the need.

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In severe cases or in situations where urinary incontinence significantly affects your quality of life and you can no longer enjoy the experience of pregnancy, it is recommended that you consult your doctor without delay.