After giving birth, many women experience bladder control issues. This can be a frustrating and embarrassing problem to deal with on top of all the other new challenges of being a new mum. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to help regain bladder control and minimise these problems.
What causes bladder control issues with childbirth?
There are a number of different factors that can contribute to bladder control problems after giving birth. One common issue is damage to the pelvic floor muscles during delivery. These muscles support the bladder and help keep it in place. If they are weak or damaged, it can cause the bladder to drop down and push against the vagina, which can lead to leakage.
Drink plenty of fluids
This will help to flush out your system and keep you hydrated. Drink at least eight glasses of water a day, and avoid caffeine and alcohol. If you do drink alcohol or caffeine, then make sure you drink plenty of fluids to offset their diuretic effects.
Do Kegel exercises with the Carin Mini Sensor
Kegel exercises help to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles, which can be weakened after childbirth. To do a Kegel exercise, squeeze the muscles you use to stop the flow of urine and hold for 10 seconds. Repeat 10 times. In addition to Kegel exercises, try Pilates, squats, and lunges to help improve bladder control.
Carin is an award-winning app and sensor that helps women strengthen their pelvic floor and recover from urine leaks.
The Carin Mini Sensor helps you detect & identify urine leaks using discreet vibration technology. The device is placed in your underwear and will vibrate when it detects wetness, alerting you to a potential leak. It’s a great way to get some advance notice so you can take steps to avoid an accident.
Carin helps you establish a daily pelvic floor exercise routine over the course of eight weeks. The program works with two essential elements: Daily 10-minute exercises and progress measurements.
The Carin exercises are easily accessible, fun and brief with a special focus on the integration of pelvic floor training in daily life. Carin Exercise follows 3 basic principles of pelvic floor training:
- Feel your pelvic floor muscles
- Coordinate your pelvic floor muscles in daily life
- Strengthen your core and pelvic floor muscles
The Carin app provides a series of short exercise videos organised by week and specially designed to help strengthen the pelvic floor muscles and eliminate urine leaks. The app also offers notifications to remind you to exercise on a daily basis. By exercising for only 10 minutes per day, results can be seen in a matter of weeks. Within only 4 weeks 80% of women see progress from 20% to 100%!
Features of the Carin Mini Sensor
- Personalised training program
- 10-minute workouts / day
- Recovery tracking
- Discreet alert technology
- Mini sensor that attaches to your own underwear
How do you use the Carin Mini?
Attach the sensor using stickers provided to the outside of your underwear whilst you do the 10-minute exercises that the app demonstrates to you.
The Carin training programme app is fully available in English, Dutch, Italian, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Swedish and Polish.
Pads and panty liners
Wearing pads or panty liners can help absorb any urine leakage. Be sure to change them frequently to keep the area clean and dry. You can use reusable sanitary pads to save money and the environment. Don’t wear sanitary pads whilst using the Carin sensor as it will block the sensor.
How can I regain bladder control after childbirth?
There are a number of things you can do to regain bladder control after giving birth. Kegel exercises, pelvic floor muscle training, and avoiding foods and drinks that can irritate the bladder can all help. In addition, wearing pads or panty liners and using the Carin Mini Sensor can help you avoid accidents.