Why does nobody talk about bladder weakness during pregnancy?

They look forward to their baby, but suddenly a problem arises that nobody talks about: Bladder weakness. Yes, you read properly. While you prepare for birth, it can happen that your body suddenly behaves differently - and it is also about your bubble. But don't worry, they are not alone. Bladder weakness affects many women during pregnancy and after birth. The best: you can do something about it!

Bladder weakness during pregnancy - normal or alarming?

Are you wondering if it is normal that you suddenly don't have as much control over your bubble when you want to cough, laugh or just want to catch the bus? Yes, it's normal, but it can frustrate them. During pregnancy, her hormonal balance is going crazy and your baby's weight also presses on the bladder. Over 30 % of pregnant women experience Stress incontinence - Involuntary urine loss in the event of physical exertion.

But why does nobody talk about it? Because it's kind of embarrassing? Incorrect! It is time to openly address this topic. Your body does an incredible thing, so he can also need support.

Why does that happen? And when does it finally stop?

The culprits are called Hormones and Pressure. During pregnancy, hormones loosen like progesterone and Relaxin Your pelvic floor muscles to make room for the baby. But that also has its price: the muscles that control their bladder are weakened. And then there would be the pressure: her growing baby takes up a lot of room and presses on her bladder. So it can happen that you suddenly have a little "accident" with the sneezing.

When does that stop? Good question! Sometimes immediately after birth, but unfortunately the bladder weakness can still exist for a while after pregnancy. Up to 60 % The women report on incontinence problems in the months after birth.

How is a bladder weakness noticeable during pregnancy?

Bladder weakness in pregnancy expresses itself in different forms, depending on the cause and the individual physical condition. The most common form is that Stress incontinencethat is triggered by the pressure of the growing baby and hormonal changes. Here are the most important symptoms that indicate bladder weakness during pregnancy:

Involuntary urine loss in the event of physical exertion

Women often lose uncontrolled urine:

• Cough
• Sneeze
• Laugh
• Lifting heavy objects
• Sporting activities

This loss of urine is due to the increased pressure in the abdomen, which also contains the bladder.

Increased urge to urinate

Many pregnant women report a more frequent urge to urinate, especially in the later phases of pregnancy. The growing baby puts pressure on the bladder, which means that it can save less urine. Sometimes the urge to urinate suddenly occurs and there is little time to reach the toilet.

Feeling of incomplete bladder emptying

Another symptom can be the feeling that the bladder was not completely emptied, even after being on the toilet. This is often caused by the changed location of the bladder and the pressure of the baby.

Uncontrolled loss of urine when changing positions

Some women experience a loss of urine at Get up from sitting, Turn around in bed Or with other fast movements, since the pressure on the bladder increases abruptly in these moments.

Weakening of the pelvic floor

Hormonal changes loosen the tissue and muscles, especially the Pelvic floorwhich can affect control over the bladder. This is particularly evident in the case of an involuntary loss of urine in the event of a burden.

Causes:

The main causes of bladder weakness during pregnancy are:

• Hormonal changes: Hormones like progesterone and relaxin loosen the tissue to make room for the growing baby. This weakens the pelvic floor.
• Mechanical pressure: The weight of the baby exerts pressure on the bladder, which reduces the storage volume of the bladder and leads to urge to urinate.

What happens after pregnancy? Why doesn't incontinence just stop?

This is where the shock comes: just because your baby no longer mechanically presses on the bladder does not mean that your bubble is immediately fully functional again. Postpartal incontinence is a real topic. After birth, your pelvic floor needs time to recover - especially if you had a vaginal birth or birth injuries that further weakened the muscles.

But don't worry, that doesn't mean that you have to live with bladder weakness forever. There are many ways to strengthen your pelvic floor again.

In the acute time in which you suffer from an uncontrolled urine loss, targeted aids make everyday life easier for you. Are particularly helpful Incontinence inserts, because this disrKet, absorbent and not visible from the outside. Since moisture can lead to skin irritation in the genital area, a special and consistent one is Skin care essential. Can just be on the go Wet wipes represent helpful care. You can easily stow this in your pocket.

How can you prevent bladder weakness - during and after pregnancy?

Fortunately, there are ways to reduce your risk of bladder weakness during pregnancy and then. Here are some tips that really help:

1. Why is the pelvic floor training of the gamuchangers?

• Let us talk about the true heroes in this story: that Pelvic floor training. A strong pelvic floor training can work wonders to regain your bladder (and your pride). Studies show that regular training of the pelvic floor can significantly reduce the risk of incontinence after birth. And yes, that means that you will probably do "cone exercises" more often than you would like. By the way: Many women only start with pelvic floor training after birth. However, if you start with it during pregnancy, you have a real lead. The effect? They are "in the race" faster and the risk of long -term problems is reduced drastically.

2. Attention in heavy lifting

Heavy lifting during pregnancy If you are careful, as the risk of injuries, back pain and, in the worst case, it can increase complications for pregnancy. But When does a weight are considered "heavy" or "too heavy"?

• Light load (up to 5 kg) are usually unproblematic as long as there are no health restrictions and the lifting technology is applied correctly.
• Medium -sized loads (approximately 5-10 kg) can often be worn without major problems in the early phases of pregnancy, but should be avoided or reduced during pregnancy - especially in the third trimester.
• Heavy loads (above 10 kg) should be avoided because this increases the pressure on the pelvic floor and the back muscles. Especially in the last trimester, lifting heavy weights can increase the risk of back pain, pelvic floor problems and even premature labor.

Factors that determine whether a weight is "too heavy":

• Pregnancy phase: In the early pregnancy, many women are still able to wear more, but in the second and third trimester, when the belly grows and the pelvic floor is more stressed, lifting heavily loads should be reduced.

• Physical fitness: women who do sports regularly and are in good physical condition can usually lift a little more, but should also pay attention to warning signs such as pain or discomfort.

• Lifting technology: The correct lifting from the legs (not from the back) is important to avoid injuries.

• Pre -existing problems: Women with a history of back pain or other health problems should be particularly careful and keep loads as low as possible.

3. How does the type of childbirth affect possible bladder weakness?

The Type of birth - Whether vaginal or by caesarean section - a significant impact on the risk of a Bladder weakness (Urinary incontinence) after childbirth. Both methods of birth bring different risks, especially with regard to the load on the pelvic floor and the bladder. Here is a summary of the most important differences:

Vaginal birth and bladder weakness

At a vaginal birth the risk of bladder weakness is higher compared to a caesarean section, since the pelvic floor, the muscles and nerves are more stressed in the pelvic area. The following factors contribute to this:

• Pressure on the pelvic floor: During the birth, the pelvic floor must withstand enormous pressure, which can lead to overstretching or violation of the muscles. This increases the risk of stress incontinence, especially with repeated or difficult births.
• Birth injuries: Damm tears or cuts (episiotomies) as well as instrumental delivery (e.g. pliers or suction bell birth) can also damage the tissue and nerves in the pool area.
• Weakening of the nerves: The pressure of the baby on the bladder and the surrounding nerves during birth can lead to a temporary or long -term weakening of the nerves, which are responsible for the bladder control.

Studies show that about 30-50 % of women suffer from temporary bladder weakness after a vaginal birth. For many, the symptoms improve within the first few months, especially with targeted pelvic floor training. For some women, however, the bladder weakness remains in the long term, especially after several births or with serious pelvic floor injuries.

Caesarean section and bladder weakness

Women who per Caesarean Demanding, usually have a lower risk of postpartum bladder weakness, since the pelvic floor is less stressed during birth. Nevertheless, there are some important points to consider:

• Reduced pelvic floor load: Since the caesarean section passes the pelvic floor, there is less risk of injuries or overstretching, which reduces the risk of bladder weakness.
• Later incontinence risks: Even if Caesarean sections reduce the risk of incontinence at short notice, there are indications that long -term factors such as long -term Scarring Or can change the abdominal muscles. In addition, a caesarean section does not completely protect against incontinence, since Pregnancy itself a significant load for the pelvic floor.

According to studies, the risk of bladder weakness after a caesarean section is about 10-20 %, so significantly lower than with vaginal births.

We talk about bladder weakness in pregnancy and break a social taboo

Maybe you have the feeling that nobody talks about it - and that's true! Bladder weakness is a taboo subject because many women are ashamed of it. But that has to stop! It is time to put this topic in the foreground. After all, it affects millions of women worldwide - and there is no reason to hide that. You are strong, your body is strong, and sometimes your body also needs a break.

Why do many women feel shame?

• Taboo of the topic: In many companies, bladder weakness or incontinence is not openly spoken. It is considered a problem that affects older people, which means that young women feel uncomfortable when they are confronted with it.

• Social expectations: pregnant women are often presented as strong and "blooming", which can cause physical problems such as weakness to be perceived as weakness. Many women do not want to admit that they are fighting with this kind of challenge because they feel that they do not feel that they do not meet social expectations of pregnancy.

• Embarrassing moments: situations such as uncontrolled loss of urine in public, laughing, coughing or sneezing can lead to women withdrawing and trying to hide these problems. This can lead to social isolation and a feeling of shame.

The Feeling of shame can lead to women hesitation, talking about their bladder weakness or looking for help. The problem is often concealed or played down, although there are treatable solutions. This can not only restrict the quality of life, but also delay the healing process, since effective measures such as Pelvic floor training, are not used early.

How can you deal with the feeling of shame?

• Creating openness: It is important to know that you are not alone. Many women have similar experiences during pregnancy or after birth. By talking to your doctor or midwife, you can normalize the topic and use suitable help.

• Pelvic floor training: One of the most effective measures for the prevention and treatment of bladder weakness is pelvic floor training. This strengthens the muscles and can return self -confidence to your own physical control.

• Education and exchange: The exchange with other women in similar situations-be it in self-help groups or online forums-can help to overcome and find support. Enlightenment about the frequency of the problem and the biological reasons behind it can also help reduce shame.

Who are the most important contacts?

Bladder weakness is a particularly sensitive topic, especially when it affects young women during pregnancy. In addition to all the physical change, a great burden for many women. It is therefore important to have a professional and sensitive contact at the side. The following professional groups include the specialists:

Gynecologist/ gynecologist

Your first point of contact for bladder weakness during pregnancy should be your gynecologist or gynecologist. You can assess your symptoms, make sure that there are no more serious causes and give you targeted recommendations for treatments and prevention measures. You can also transfer you to other specialists if necessary.

urologist

A urologist Specializes in the urinary tract diseases and can help you specifically with bladder weakness during pregnancy. You can make a more precise diagnosis and find out whether there are anatomical causes or dysfunction of the bladder that must be treated.

midwife

Midwives are often very well informed about typical problems in pregnancy, including bladder weakness. You can not only recommend supportive measures such as pelvic floor training, but also suggest natural approaches or breathing techniques to improve your bladder control.

Physiotherapist for pelvic floor training

A Physiotherapist, which specializes in pelvic floor training, can be a great support. You can show you targeted exercises to strengthen the muscles in the pelvic floor and thus improve control over the bladder. Physiotherapy can help treat bladder weakness effectively during pregnancy and after birth.

Family doctor

The family doctor can also be a first point of contact with slight bladder weakness. You can give general health tips and, if necessary, transfer you to a specialist like a urologist or gynecologist. In addition, the family doctor is usually the first point of contact for health issues. Most of the time the relationship of trust is greatest towards him.