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Postnatal health

Postnatal incontinence

Leaking urine after childbirth is extremely common, and commonly untreated, but it is not the price of motherhood. Pelvic floor rehabilitation resolves or improves most cases, and persistent leakage deserves specialist care.

Key points

The essentials at a glance.

What to look out for, who treats it, and what usually happens next.

  • Around a third of women leak urine in the months after birth; bowel urgency or leakage affects a smaller but significant group

  • Risk is higher after instrumental delivery, a long second stage, a large baby or significant perineal tears

  • Pelvic floor muscle training, ideally supervised by a specialist physiotherapist, is first-line treatment and works

  • Leaking beyond three months postnatally warrants referral, not reassurance

  • Bowel incontinence or urgency after a third- or fourth-degree tear needs specialist follow-up as standard

  • For persistent stress incontinence, options extend to pessaries, bulking injections and surgery once your family is complete

Understanding it

About Postnatal incontinence.

Pregnancy loads the pelvic floor for months and vaginal birth stretches muscle and nerve further, so it is no surprise that bladder control commonly wobbles afterwards: leaks with coughs, sneezes and running, urgency that arrives without notice, or both. Most early leakage improves as tissues recover, but waiting passively is not a strategy, rehabilitation actively rebuilds the system, and untreated symptoms tend to resurface at menopause.

Good care starts with an assessment of pelvic floor strength and technique, since many women exercise the wrong muscles unaided, followed by a structured programme over several months. Persistent or severe symptoms justify a urogynaecology review, where the full range of options, from pessaries to minimally invasive procedures, is available. In the UK you can start with your GP: on the NHS, a routine referral to a specialist clinic often means waiting 20–45 weeks or more to be seen, while a private consultant will typically see you within around two weeks, with any tests arranged soon after.

Frequently asked

Common questions about Postnatal incontinence.

Quick, plain-English answers to what people ask us most.

  • What is postnatal incontinence?

    Postnatal incontinence is involuntary leakage of urine (or occasionally bowel content) that develops or persists after childbirth, most commonly stress incontinence occurring with coughing, sneezing, or exercise.

  • What causes postnatal incontinence?

    Pregnancy and vaginal delivery can stretch and weaken the pelvic floor muscles and supporting tissues, affecting bladder control; factors such as a longer labour, larger babies, or assisted delivery can increase the risk.

  • What are the symptoms?

    Leaking urine with coughing, sneezing, laughing, or exercise (stress incontinence), a sudden urgent need to urinate, or, less commonly, difficulty controlling bowel movements are the main patterns.

  • Is postnatal incontinence common?

    Yes, it's quite common in the weeks and months after childbirth, and while many cases improve on their own, it's not something you need to simply accept, as effective treatments are available.

  • Can postnatal incontinence be treated?

    Yes, pelvic floor physiotherapy is highly effective for many women, and for persisting symptoms, further options including specific devices, medications, or, occasionally, surgery can help.

  • How long does postnatal incontinence typically last?

    Many women see significant improvement within the first three to six months after birth, particularly with consistent pelvic floor exercises, though some experience more persistent symptoms needing further treatment.

  • Does postnatal incontinence get better on its own?

    It often improves somewhat on its own as pelvic tissues gradually recover, but many women benefit significantly from structured pelvic floor physiotherapy to speed and improve this recovery, rather than waiting passively.

  • Postnatal incontinence vs pelvic organ prolapse — what's the difference?

    Prolapse involves pelvic organs, such as the bladder or womb, dropping down from their normal position, sometimes felt as a bulge, while incontinence specifically refers to leakage of urine or stool; the two can occur together and are both linked to pelvic floor weakness after childbirth.

  • Can pelvic floor exercises really help?

    Yes, properly performed and consistent pelvic floor exercises, ideally guided by a specialist physiotherapist, are one of the most effective treatments for postnatal stress incontinence, with strong supporting evidence.

  • When should I see a specialist, and how quickly can I be seen privately?

    See a doctor or women's health physiotherapist if incontinence persists beyond a few months or is affecting your quality of life. Private specialist assessment is typically available within about two weeks, faster than standard NHS postnatal physiotherapy waiting times.