Urine leakage is a common symptom for many mothers, both pregnant and postpartum. In addition to being irritating or annoying, urine leakage also makes daily life difficult.
However, urine leakage during pregnancy is mostly a symptom that mothers can easily deal with on their own because the symptoms usually gradually improve and disappear on their own. This article has compiled interesting information about urine leakage that often occurs during pregnancy, including causes, methods of coping, and signs that mothers should see a doctor.
What causes urine leakage during pregnancy?
Urine leakage during pregnancy can be caused by several factors, such as:
- Pressure on the bladder from the growing fetus can cause the bladder, which is located below the womb, to be compressed, resulting in less space to store urine. This can be especially true when coughing, sneezing, or laughing, which can make it easier for the mother to leak urine.
- The increase in hormone levels during pregnancycan cause the muscles around the bladder, urethral sphincter, and the tendons that control the urinary system to relax, making it harder for the body to control urination.
- The kidneys have to work harder because the blood volume in your body increases during pregnancy, which can cause your kidneys and urine production to malfunction.
In addition, some mothers may be more at risk of urinary incontinence if they have certain risk factors, such as:
- Family members have a history of urinary incontinence.
- Being overweight or gaining excessive weight during pregnancy
- Over 35 years of age
- Have a history of smoking. Smoking often causes chronic coughing, which is a factor that increases the risk of urinary incontinence.
- Have a history of natural birthor vaginal birth
- Have a history of pelvic surgery
- Have certain medical conditions, such as overactive bladder,diabetes, multiple sclerosis, urinary tract infections, or stroke.
- Have a history of using anti-anxiety or anti-depressant drugs
Most cases of urine leakage will gradually improve and disappear on their own about 2–3 weeks after giving birth. However, some mothers may still experience urine leakage for several months after giving birth, such as mothers with large fetuses, mothers who have to push for a long time, mothers with diabetes, or mothers who have to use instruments to help with delivery.
How to take care of yourself when you have urine leakage during pregnancy
Mothers who experience urinary incontinence may try Kegel exercises, where they clench their pelvic muscles in a way that resembles holding in urine or gas. Hold for 10 seconds, then release, and repeat 15 times.
While you are tensing your pelvic floor muscles, try not to move your legs, hips, and abdomen. As for the frequency of practicing vaginal tightening exercises, you should practice them every day, at least 5 times a day, to help your body control urine leakage better.
In addition, mothers who have frequent urinary leakage may also make some changes to their daily lives to help relieve symptoms, such as:
- Avoid caffeinatedand carbonated drinks, as these can irritate the bladder, disrupting the body’s ability to control urination.
- Avoid drinking water before bedtime to prevent the urge to urinate at night.
- Eat foods high in fiberto reduce your risk of constipation, as constipation can increase the risk of urine leakage in some pregnant women.
- Control your weightbecause being overweight is a risk factor that often causes many pregnant mothers to leak urine.
- Keep a record of the times when you usually have leakage, to help you adjust your bathroom trips to times before they are most likely to occur.
However, if mothers who have given birth for more than 6 weeks and still experience urine leakage, they should see a doctor for further examination for their own health safety. This is because the symptoms may be a sign of a disease or abnormal condition that may have negative effects on their health in the long run.