Page 86 - April Issue
P. 86
in focus: birth | discomfort
hormones during pregnancy, instruments such as forceps, does not define the problem, it
meant to support a healthy prolonged labour, multiple will at least suggest which tests
pregnancy, may also cause a births, and episiotomies. are needed.
relaxation of the structures Incontinence that results from
supporting the bladder. childbirth may be evident Medications
However hormone levels immediately after giving birth
subside again once the baby or may take years to manifest Medications can reduce many
is born, usually solving the itself. Occasionally, childbirth types of leakage. Some drugs
problem. may cause organs such as the inhibit contractions of an
bladder or uterus to prolapsed, overactive bladder. Others
Second is the weight of or relax, downwards. relax muscles, leading to more
the baby - the weight of the complete bladder emptying
growing foetus can put a Treatment during urination. Some drugs
significant amount of pressure tighten muscles at the bladder
on the bladder, making Female stress incontinence that neck and urethra, preventing
sneezing or coughing a tricky occurs as a result of pregnancy leakage. And some, especially
proposition! Many women and childbirth is usually easy hormones such as oestrogen,
experience mild female stress to treat. Kegel exercises can are believed to cause muscles
incontinence during the last help to strengthen muscles involved in urination to
trimester of pregnancy. This that have been damaged or function normally. Some of
mild incontinence usually weakened by childbirth. They these medications can produce
resolves itself once the baby are easy to perform and can harmful side effects if used
is born and there is no longer be done anywhere at any time. for long periods. In particular,
extra pressure on the bladder. These exercises are designed to oestrogen therapy has been
strengthen the muscles of the associated with an increased
Third is childbirth; any pelvic floor that are weakened risk for cancers of the breast
woman who has given birth with pregnancy and childbirth. and endometrium (lining of
can attest to the trauma that the uterus). Talk to your doctor
childbirth is. During childbirth, To diagnose the problem, about the risks and benefits of
enormous stress is placed on your doctor will first ask about long-term use of medications.
the bladder and its supporting symptoms and medical history.
muscles and ligaments, causing Your pattern of voiding and Surgery
them to become lax. Nerves urine leakage may suggest the
that innervate the bladder can type of incontinence. Other Doctors usually suggest surgery
also be damaged. Factors that obvious factors that can help to alleviate incontinence only
predispose to the development define the problem include after other treatments have
of incontinence include birthing straining and discomfort, use been tried. Many surgical
a large baby (usually larger of drugs, recent surgery, and options have high rates of
than 4000 grams), the use of illness. If your medical history success.
mother, baby & child April 2011 “Other obvious factors For severe cases of stress
that can help define the incontinence, the surgeon may
problem include straining secure the bladder with a wide
and discomfort, use of drugs, sling. This not only holds up
recent surgery, and illness.” the bladder but also
compresses the bottom of the
bladder and
the top of the urethra, further
preventing leakage.
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