#32
〜 Things you can't tell or ask anyone 〜Leakage during pregnancy and postpartum
To prevent postpartum urine leakage, it is important not to strain the pelvic floor muscles
Compared to men, women have a shorter urethra, which makes them more prone to leakage. Due to the structure of the female body, the bladder is located just behind the pubic bone and in front of the uterus, which means that it is easily affected during pregnancy and childbirth. As the uterus grows during pregnancy, the bladder in front of the uterus is always under pressure, and since the bladder capacity becomes smaller, it cannot hold a large amount of urine, which leads to frequent urination and leakage. The bladder is located in the pelvis, and the bladder, uterus, and rectum are located in a row from the front of the body, and they are all crowded together in the pelvis.
Before pregnancy, the pelvic floor muscles are strong enough to prevent urine leakage even when abdominal pressure is applied, but during pregnancy, the pelvic floor muscles are continuously supporting the growing uterus and are constantly being stretched, which tends to weaken the muscles. When sneezing or laughing loudly, abdominal pressure is exerted on the loose pelvic floor muscles, causing urine leakage. Postural changes that occur during pregnancy can also cause strain on the pelvic floor muscles. As the uterus grows, if the abdominal muscles are not strong enough to support it, the woman tends to bend at the waist when she stands. The pelvis then tends to tilt forward, and the weight of the uterus causes the pelvic floor muscles to tilt forward and downward, placing an even greater burden on the pelvic floor muscles.
It is important to be aware of factors that can cause urine leakage, such as being overweight during pregnancy, gestational hypertension, and other factors that can make your delivery heavier. If you have a difficult delivery, this can put a strain on your pelvic floor muscles.
In addition, after childbirth, the pelvic floor muscles relax and the urethra becomes less tight, leading to leakage of urine, and nerve fibers are damaged by childbirth, making it easier to perceive the bladder and urethra, making it difficult to feel the urge to urinate or to pass urine.
But rest assured that it will heal naturally as the pelvic floor muscles recover. To prevent postpartum urine leakage, the most important thing is to avoid putting strain on the pelvic floor muscles.
To prevent urine leakage, how to spend the postpartum period
Pelvic floor muscles damaged during childbirth will recover within one to two months postpartum if all goes well.
For this reason, for the first three weeks after delivery, except for feeding and caring for the baby, you should lie down to rest, avoid carrying heavy bags, and refrain from going outside. This is a necessary period for your body to recover from the birth, no matter how easy it was. It takes 6-8 weeks to recover enough to carry heavy loads.
You want to be careful not to overdo it here, as it will have repercussions later on.
《 Postpartum girdle is not an option 》
There was a time when it was recommended to wear a girdle immediately after childbirth to tighten the abdomen, but wearing a girdle lowers the uterus and bladder, which puts strain on the pelvic floor muscles and may result in prolonged urinary leakage. It is recommended to stop wearing a girdle until the one-month checkup and focus on resting the body to allow the pelvic floor muscles to recover.
Hormones secreted during childbirth have the effect of relaxing ligaments and muscles, and it is said that it takes about 3-4 months for the pelvis to become firmly seated after delivery. Postpartum urine leakage is transient and varies from person to person, but some people may experience prolonged leakage depending on the condition of the delivery. During this time, use a urine leakage pad and wait for recovery.。
《 Recommended “Gegel exercises" 》
If you are recovering well at the one-month postpartum checkup, do the exercises.
The “Gegel exercises” can be done sitting, standing or lying down. Pull up with force (muscles around the urethra, vagina, and anus) as if you were trying to hold in a pee. Hold for 10 seconds, then relax and loosen for 10 seconds. Repeat 10 times. Do 4 to 6 sets a day.
The “Gegel exercises” are exercises that you can do anytime and anywhere you want to do them. It is a simple exercise for the pelvic floor muscles, but it is important to continue it steadily every day.
To prevent urine leakage, be careful with your posture. Note that if you are hunched over, breathing becomes shallow, internal organs are pushed down, and the pelvis is always under pressure, which can easily cause urine leakage.
To prevent urine leakage, be aware of postures that pull up the pelvic floor muscle groups on a daily basis, and try to breathe slowly and deeply.
Leaking urine is not uncommon for those who have experienced pregnancy and childbirth. Don't worry about it, don't worry more than necessary, and wait for a time when it recovers naturally.
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Midwife Yoko Nambu
After graduating from Tokyo Medical and Dental University School of Nursing and obtaining a national nursing license, and graduating from the Japanese Red Cross School of Midwifery and obtaining a national midwifery license, she worked as a midwife in the obstetrics and gynecology ward of Tokyo Medical and Dental University Hospital, attending over 300 births and picking up babies. After that, she established "Toraube Inc.", a consultation office mainly for women's body. As a woman's ally, she provides consultation for problems at all ages. She believes that women should understand their own body as their own. She believes that this will lead to the solution of all problems and deals with them on a daily basis.
Her hobbies include traveling with her husband, listening to movies and music, and playing healthy mahjong.
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