Q: "Since I had my baby two months ago, I keep wetting myself, but I'm too embarrassed to tell anyone. Is there anything I can do about it, or is this likely to be a long-term problem?"
A: Sarah McMullen, head of knowledge at the NCT, says: "It's perfectly understandable that you're embarrassed to talk to someone about your incontinence after having a baby – it is, after all, seen as a taboo subject despite it affecting almost half of all new mums.
"In fact, NCT research shows almost four in 10 women who experience incontinence after childbirth are also too embarrassed to mention the issue to a healthcare professional. So you're not alone.
"Just as urinary incontinence is common, it's also unpredictable in how long it lasts. The duration can depend on how you gave birth, what happened during labour, and whether you experienced incontinence issues during pregnancy. If you're still experiencing leaks when you have your postnatal check at about six to eight weeks after birth, mention it to your midwife, GP or health visitor. And don't worry about their reaction, it's something they support women with every day.
"Most cases of incontinence after childbirth can be treated without drugs or surgery by doing pelvic floor exercises, so it's certainly not something you just have to live with. These exercises are easy to do anywhere and new mums should aim to do at least three sets per day.
"However, some women who experience ongoing issues may need to see their GP or women's health physiotherapist for further treatment."
