Frequent urination is one of the first symptoms of pregnancy. However, bedwetting (urine leakage), scientifically known as urinary incontinence, is one of the most common symptoms during and after a woman's pregnancy.
About 54.3% of pregnant women reported negative impacts on their daily activities due to this condition. This article discusses urinary incontinence and its relationship to pregnancy, so let's look at it together, ladies!
What is Urinary Incontinence?
According to the International Continence Society (ICS), urinary incontinence is a condition in which the discharge of urine is involuntary or unintentional, and other terms are bedwetting or leaking urine.
Although common in older people, aging is not the leading cause of urinary incontinence. Often, specific changes in bodily functions that lead to illness, medication use, and/or the onset of disease cause this condition.
What Causes Urinary Incontinence In Pregnant Women?
Here are some common causes of incontinence in pregnant women:
1. Pressure
Urine leakage can occur when a pregnant woman coughs, cleans, does sports, or laughs. These movements put extra pressure on the bladder, which can cause stress incontinence. In addition, the baby in the womb also exerts additional pressure on the bladder of pregnant women as the baby grows.
2. Hormone
Hormonal changes during pregnancy can affect the lining of pregnant women's bladder and urinary tract.
3. Medical conditions
Medical history of certain conditions, such as diabetes, multiple sclerosis, or stroke, can also cause urinary incontinence in pregnant women.
4. Urinary tract infection
30-40% of women who do not fully treat their urinary tract infection will show signs of urinary incontinence. Urinary incontinence itself is also a symptom of a urinary tract infection.
Urinary leakage in pregnant women is a natural thing.
What treatments can be done for incontinence in pregnant women?
The treatment of choice for urinary incontinence in pregnant women is lifestyle changes and better bladder management. Here are some tips that can be done to manage bladder health:
1. Do Kegel exercises
Kegel exercises focus on strengthening the pelvic area. This exercise is safe and effective before, during, and after pregnancy.
2. Keep a diary about urination
Make a note of each time you experience a urine leak so you can predict and plan to the bathroom in the future.
3. Avoid carbonated and caffeinated drinks
Drinks with these characteristics can cause you to go to the toilet more often.
4. Do not drink too much to drink at night
This prevents urine loss and the urge to go to the toilet.
5. Consumption of fiber-rich foods
High-fiber foods help prevent constipation, which is also one of the causes of urinary incontinence.
6. Maintain a healthy weight
Extra weight, especially around the abdomen, can increase pressure on the bladder. Losing weight after childbirth can also prevent urinary incontinence after pregnancy.
Examples of movements in Kegel exercises
Remember that urine leakage is a natural condition in pregnant women. Symptoms of urinary incontinence in some women go away on their own after a few days or weeks after their baby is born.
For some others, the leakage of urine that occurs may persist or even worsen. However, urinary incontinence is not dangerous and can be treated by bladder retraining, weight loss, and exercise.
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Reference:
Marcin, A. & Weber, M. (2017). Pregnancy Incontinence: Why It Happens and What to Do. [online]. https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/urinary-incontinence?utm_source=ReadNext