Embarassing question I know! I have had two kids, they are now 5 and 7. I never had any problems until about 2 years ago. Every time I sneeze a little urine comes out. I figured this was par for the course after having two kids, but the other day my husband told me he would really like to have another child. He is 43 and feels like our family is not yet complete, I think he is feeling we need to have another sooner than later considering he's in his 40's and I'm getting close to 40! Well I am shocked, but after much thought I realized I would like to have another child too. We are considering adoption, but my husband really would like us to try to conceive a child first. My question is will this peeing issue get worse after a third pregnancy. I already have to pee every hour and on top of the leaking issue, I'm concerned that this could get worse after a third pregnancy. Any advice?
Thanks,
R.
I have 2 kids and have the same issue, do the Kegel exercises they do help. My sister has no kids and also has this problem, so having children is not necessarily the cause. The general aging process is a part of the issue. Good luck with the decision on having the 3rd child.
do your kegals, like it were a religion, the peeing will stop
Yep. Great, huh?
Not only is it from having had children, but it's also gravity's joke on us as we age as women. Thank you, Mother Nature.
Not only do Kegals help, but you can actually be referred to a physical therapist to be treated and have a surgical procedure to help move your bladder back into the proper placement.
Most of us know too well what it's like to be pushing a cart down the aisle at Target and to have to stop, cross our legs, sneeze, and then proceed without wetting our pants.
The worse for me was during my chemo treatments when nausea set in. There was NO controlling the bladder. Luckily, it's gotten better as time's gone on. But, that's NO fun.
There are exercises other than Kegels that you can do to help with your stress incontinence--ask your doctor about sending you to Physical Therapy. One of my co-workers (when I lived in New Hampshire) specialized in women's health and she had a TON of great outcomes. There are other treatments besides exercises (bio-feedback, for instance), which can help to strengthen the muscles of the pelvic floor. If your doctor doesn't know of any clinics in your area that do this, I would pull out the yellow pages and start calling PT clinics (I recommend starting with the larger hospitals in the area--maybe Beaumont since you're in Royal Oak.) Even if the place you call doesn't have that service, they will likely have an idea of where you can go.
In the meantime, here are a couple simple exercises to do:
1. While standing, click your heels together (a la Dorothy in Wizard of Oz). This targets hip muscles that also connect to the pelvic floor.
2. Put a small ball (a bit smaller than a volleyball) between your knees while seated and squeeze the ball for a count of 10, then relax and repeat 10 times.
3. In the same position, wrap an exercise band (elastic) around your knees and push your knees apart for a count of 10, then slowly return to the starting position; repeat 10 times.
Good luck!
I have had four children and I didn't notice an increase in loss of bladder control when I sneeze, cough or laugh to hard, just the "normal" like everyone else. It sounds like you have some other urinary issues going on because of your urgency to go every hour. Kegels and the bladder sling are options but check with your ob/gyn for other info. Best to you in your future decisions.
V.
It is really annoying isn't it? When I had discussed it with my GYN she suggested Kegal excersises and also to go see a urologist. The Kegals helped but upon occassion if I have a sneeze that seems to come from my toes I do have a little accident. The dr also told me if you have a little extra weight around the middle it can "lay" on your bladder causing leakage. That all said you can never predict if a 3rd child will make it worse or not. Good luck with making baby #3!
I'm pregnant with my 3rd and have really started to notice it this time ... SUCKS!
I know they say to do kegals, but somehow i never end up doing it (just forgetting, or whatever).. i need to try that and then after having the baby trying to get rid of some weight around the middle and see if that helps..If not, probably going to talk to the Doc :(
Kegels! They really do work!
I've had two c-sections and have the same problem, so it truly is part of being a Mommy. Nothing to do with vaginal deliveries, either.
Kegels help. Other than that, I've got nothing!
Do kegels, but you can always opt for surgery too and I know people who have had that done and it works wonders! But, wait until you are done having kids to have the surgery.
Stress incontinence is very common after having children. Have you tried kegels? They can help a bit. You might also want to try wearing a panty-liner just for a little extra protection.
I don't know if it'll get worse after having a third child, but that's no reason to NOT have a third child if you want one. I don't think I'd let something like that hold me back from something as major as having another child.
I know some women that have had a surgey to get a "bladder sling" to correct this problem when it's gotten too bad, so there are other options for the future if you need them.
Best of luck to you!
I have two kids and the incontinence was pretty annoying after my first. After 3 years I was wondering if I would ever not almost pee my pants all throughout the day again. I had my second baby 7 months ago and it seemed to get worse for me yet at the end of that pregnancy but now, it is better than it was after my first. My reasoning is that I had stitches after both kids (vaginal deliveries) and the second doctor WAS MUCH BETTER AT HIS JOB of putting things back together. I healed much better and have had far less discomfort than I did after my first. I still suffer when I sneeze or laugh too hard but at least it is not as bad as it was. I do know that my OBGYN and probably others offer treatments and simple medical procedures to help rid this problem and insurance may/may not cover it so i would go for baby #3 and if it is really bad see a specialist after you have the baby.
Hi R.,
Your problem is very common and there are things that can be done. I suggest that you do Kegal exercises (google instructions). And even more importantly call a Urologist.
R.,
I have had 3 kids and I do my keegals constantly and that seems to help. I have urgance, but only leak urine when I cough REALLY hard (so hard it makes you vomit) Do your kegals while watching TV, talking on the phone Cooking, Cleaning even while you pee (which I find is the best time).
Yes a 3rd child will weaken your muscles a little bit, but you can strengthen it up to compensate.
Good luck.
I'd talk to your OB/GYN about the peeing and pregnancy planning. Since you noticed it more recently, rather then immediately after having kids, it might be a different issue. You should be able to strengthen those muscles if its just from childbirth.
