Physiotherapy

Bladder leakage after having a baby is incredibly common — but it’s not something you have to just live with. Many women quietly put up with urinary leakage, believing it’s simply part of motherhood or can’t be helped.

The truth is, while it’s common, it’s not normal, and there’s a lot that can be done to restore your confidence and control.

What Is Postpartum Bladder Leakage?

Postpartum urinary incontinence refers to the involuntary loss of urine after childbirth.

It might happen when you cough, sneeze, laugh, jump, or run (known as stress incontinence), or you might feel a sudden, strong urge to go and not make it in time
(urge incontinence). Some women experience a combination of both.

Why Does It Happen?

During pregnancy and birth, your body undergoes huge physical changes that affect your bladder and pelvic floor:

Pregnancy itself places pressure on your pelvic floor muscles and bladder.
Hormonal changes soften connective tissues, reducing pelvic support.
Vaginal birth can stretch or even injure the pelvic floor muscles, connective tissue, or nerves.
Instrumental deliveries (like forceps or vacuum) and larger babies can further increase strain.

Even caesarean births aren’t exempt — pregnancy still impacts the pelvic floor and core function.

All of these factors can lead to weakened or uncoordinated pelvic floor muscles,
making it harder to control the bladder.

How Physiotherapy Helps

A pelvic health Physiotherapist is specifically trained to assess and treat postpartum incontinence. Your treatment plan may include:

1. Pelvic Floor Assessment
We start with a detailed assessment of how your pelvic floor muscles are functioning— are they weak, overactive, stretched or tight, or not coordinating properly with activities like coughing or sneezing? Understanding this is key to effective treatment.

2. Tailored Exercise Program
No two women are the same, which is why a “just do your Kegels” approach doesn’t always work. Up to 30% of people do Kegels incorrectly too! Your Physio will guide you through individualised exercises that target strength, endurance, and control — ensuring the right muscles are engaging at the right time.

3. Core and Posture Reconnection
Your deep core muscles, breathing patterns, and pelvic floor all work together. Your Physio will teach you how to reconnect and coordinate these systems to support
your bladder and daily movement.

4. Bladder and Lifestyle Education
Simple strategies can make a big difference — like managing fluid intake, identifying bladder irritants, and re-training bladder habits (busting as you put the key in the door syndrome is real!).

5. Support Through Your Recovery
Healing takes time. A Physiotherapist can help you progress safely back to exercise, running, and lifting without leakage or discomfort.

When to Seek Help

If you’re experiencing:

Leakage when you cough, laugh, sneeze, or exercise

A strong urge to urinate that’s hard to control

Feeling of heaviness, dragging, or pressure in your vagina — it’s time to reach out for a pelvic health assessment.

Quick tip to try: “The Knack” – when you need to cough or sneeze think about ‘tightening the anus’ right before, see if it helps control the bladder!

Kelly Rigby – Senior Physiotherapist
Women’s Wellness Project
1 Hornet Place, Burleigh Heads Queensland 4220, Australia
0406 941 605
team@womenswellnessproject.com
www.womenswellnessproject.com
@refinedphysiotherapy
@womenswellnessproject