Managing Urinary Incontinence After Childbirth

This episode tackles a common concern: urinary incontinence after childbirth. This can affect about a third of women, so you're not alone. I dive into what you can do to minimize urinary leaks after your first delivery with insights from a major 2020 Cochrane Review. The big takeaway? Pelvic floor muscle training, like Kegels, can make a huge difference! I'll cover how to do these exercises, why they work, and the benefits they offer, including reducing the risk of severe tears during childbirth. I'll discuss risk factors such as multiple pregnancies, higher maternal weight, and age, as well as why maintaining a healthy weight and understanding your delivery options are essential. I also talk about how long recovery might take and what to expect. Importantly, if you're experiencing symptoms, there are strategies that can help. Join me for a friendly, informative chat about keeping those leaks at bay and feeling your best postpartum! 

https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD007471.pub4/full

Timeline:

00:28 Introduction and Podcast Series Overview 

00:43 Understanding Urinary Incontinence Post-Delivery 

01:03 Pelvic Floor Muscle Training: Evidence and Benefits 

02:41 How Pelvic Floor Muscle Training Works 

03:45 Theories Behind Pelvic Floor Muscle Training Benefits

06:41 Risk Factors for Postpartum Urinary Incontinence 

07:35 Prevention and Management Strategies 

08:58 Post-Delivery Incontinence: What to Expect and Do 

11:04 Conclusion and Key Takeaways

Transcript

 This episode tackles a common concern: urinary incontinence after childbirth. This can affect about a third of women, so you're not alone. I dive into what you can do to minimize urinary leaks after your first delivery with insights from a major 2020 Cochrane Review. The big takeaway? Pelvic floor muscle training, like Kegels, can make a huge difference! I'll cover how to do these exercises, why they work, and the benefits they offer, including reducing the risk of severe tears during childbirth. I'll discuss risk factors such as multiple pregnancies, higher maternal weight, and age, as well as why maintaining a healthy weight and understanding your delivery options are essential. I also talk about how long recovery might take and what to expect. Importantly, if you're experiencing symptoms, there are strategies that can help. Join me for a friendly, informative chat about keeping those leaks at bay and feeling your best postpartum! 

Timeline:

00:28 Introduction and Podcast Series Overview 

00:43 Understanding Urinary Incontinence Post-Delivery 

01:03 Pelvic Floor Muscle Training: Evidence and Benefits 

02:41 How Pelvic Floor Muscle Training Works 

03:45 Theories Behind Pelvic Floor Muscle Training Benefits

06:41 Risk Factors for Postpartum Urinary Incontinence 

07:35 Prevention and Management Strategies 

08:58 Post-Delivery Incontinence: What to Expect and Do 

11:04 Conclusion and Key Takeaways