Moms, I see ladies all the time months and years after baby that are struggling with bladder urgency after their c-section.
Many moms tell me I didn’t know I needed pelvic floor physical therapy because I had a c-section.
C-section recovery may result in bladder urgency that can make recovery feel even harder. If you’re rushing to the bathroom constantly or struggling with leaking after birth, know that you’re not alone—and there are ways my team and I can help you!🤍
After a C-section, bladder urgency can happen because:
• Weakened pelvic floor muscles from pregnancy and surgery.
• Nerve disruption around the bladder due to the incision or birth.
• Scar tissue potentially impacting bladder function…this can cause low back pain too!
Here are 3 steps you can take to regain control of leaking after birth and feel more confident in your bladder!
1. Reconnect With Your Core and Pelvic Floor.
Start with gentle breathing exercises, like 360 breathing:
• Breathe in deeply, expanding your ribs like an umbrella opening.
• As you exhale, imagine squeezing a blueberry with your pelvic floor muscles.
2. Practice Bladder-Friendly Habits
• Avoid “just in case” bathroom trips. Training your bladder by spacing out trips to every 2–3 hours.
• Stay hydrated—dehydration can irritate the bladder and worsen urgency.
• Limit bladder irritants like caffeine, spicy foods, and artificial sweeteners.
3. Scar tissue massage once cleared by your provider.
You may massage you scar by moving your fingers perpendicular to the scar or up/down, make tiny circular motions both clock wise and counter clock wise, and lightly pinch and roll the scar between your fingers. Start superficial at the skin level then gently apply a bit more pressure to the deeper levels. If your scar is too painful to touch consider using a q-tip to start gentle rubbing the skin.
🤍 Work With our team! As pelvic floor physical therapists we assess your muscles, scar tissue, and bladder function & create a personalized plan to help you regain strength and coordination.
If you have questions or feel stuck, I’m here to support you with safe and effective exercises tailored for postpartum moms. Give us a call —I’d love to help you feel stronger and more confident!
Call us at 248-274-6338!
