What is the cause of pregnancy incontinence? | The new time

Dear doctor,

I'm entering my third trimester and it's my first child. I have serious problems with bladder control and even sneezing make me run away even though I had just used the bathroom. I do not want to go anywhere anymore because of this problem. What can I do to avoid this?

Kate

Dear Kate,

Problems with bladder control and "leakage" are quite common during pregnancy. About 40% of women around the world experience it. This can start at the beginning of the pregnancy or in the middle. But in the majority of cases, it is quite common during the last quarter. About four percent of women also have bad incontinence badociated. The urine flows involuntarily during coughing, sneezing or even laughter.

Urinary incontinence during pregnancy has several causes. One is the fluctuation of hormone levels. The changing levels of progesterone and relaxin (which controls the bladder) leads to incontinence.

Most of the growing gravid uterus exerts pressure on the pelvis, including the bladder. This irritation of the bladder muscle results in a frequency of urination and difficulty in maintaining a full bladder. The sphincter of the bladder (valve that regulates the pbadage of urine) can also become limp because of the pressure of the pregnant uterus, thus preventing retention of urine when the bladder is full. .

As such, women are more vulnerable to urinary tract infections for several reasons. Any pre-existing infection can be aggravated during pregnancy. This is manifested by a frequency and urgency of urination and some incontinence can invariably occur. Sexually acquired pelvic infections can also infect the bladder and cause incontinence.

The risk of incontinence also increases with obesity and aging. Women who have ever had badl births or have had complicated work are more likely to develop urinary incontinence.

Some women reduce their consumption of alcohol to avoid this annoying "wetting" during pregnancy. But this leads to dehydration and an increased risk of urinary tract infection, which leads to an increase in incontinence.

Pelvic muscle exercises can strengthen the muscles of the bladder, reducing the risk of incontinence. But that would be helpful if it were done early in the pregnancy. Constipation, coughing and lifting of heavy weights, etc., which can induce and aggravate incontinence, should be avoided. Drinking one to two liters of water helps to prevent urinary tract infection and also helps to clean the intestines.

Regardless of the urge to urinate, one should go to the toilet at fixed intervals of an hour or two and try to pbad the urine. This would cause the bladder to empty at fixed intervals, thus avoiding incontinence.

If despite these precautions incontinence occurs, there is nothing to worry about. Just wear a pair of extra underwear while going to a party or out for a long time. The problem will be solved after childbirth.

However, if incontinence is not limited to "leaking" and there is abdominal pain, fever or other unusual symptoms, consult a doctor.

Dr. Rachna Pande is a specialist in internal medicine.