Incontinence

Let’s talk leaking pee!

Did you know that one in two women leak urine up to THREE MONTHS after giving birth to their first child? Leaking urine after giving birth is common, but it is not normal. Many women keep quiet about it because they are embarrassed, but you are not alone and you don’t have to live with it.

Pelvic floor muscle exercises (sometimes called Kegel exercises) have been shown to help urinary incontinence by strengthening the pelvic floor muscles. Pelvic floor exercises combined with correct posture and spinal alignment will improve your core strength and stability. The Squeezy app has visual guides to pelvic floor exercises, a guided programme and gives you daily reminders: @squeezyapp

If you experience urgency urinary incontinence it is recommended that you avoid drinking fluids that can irritate or make symptoms worse, such as caffeine, alcohol or carbonated drinks. Remember to drink the recommended amount of water (1.5 litres per day) every day to help prevent constipation and keep the urine more dilute so it doesn’t irritate the bladder

Contact your GP for a referral to a women’s health physiotherapist if you have any concerns.

Self Care as a New Parent

Looking after yourself in the early days after having a baby can feel impossible, and when you do take a moment to yourself there might even be feelings of guilt. However, self care is absolutely essential for being able to meet the needs of your baby.

In the early days, acts of self-care aren’t necessarily big, time-consuming activities. Self-care can be small acts done when you have a few minutes to yourself.

It can be making sure that you have a decent lunch, that you drink a hot cuppa, that you brush your teeth twice a day. Maybe you do that youtube yoga video or you meet up for that walk in the park and make time for a favourite hobby.

It could be taking a minute to close your eyes and take three deep breaths, emptying your mind and noticing how your body feels before you answer the 100th ‘muuuuuum’ of the day.

Taking these moments to prioritise yourself and meet your needs builds resilience. It’s like pressing your ‘reset’ button.

❤ Self-care is NOT selfish
💜 Self-care is ESSENTIAL