Problems With Urethra After Childbirth?

This article was medically reviewed by Dr. Navya Mysore and updated on [date], 2024

Giving birth is a major physical feat, and it has impacts on your body beyond your reproductive system. 

It is very common for women to experience “urinary retention” or difficulty passing urine immediately following childbirth. However, it is important to pee within 6 to 8 hours of delivery to prevent urinary tract infections (UTIs) and keep the bladder healthy.

How Childbirth Affects the Bladder

You may not be ready to urinate right after childbirth, and that is totally normal. The pressure exerted by the descending baby may force the bladder to temporarily shut down. Any anesthesia you were administered for the birth may have decreased its sensitivity, effectively “numbing” the bladder temporarily.

You may also be nervous to pee after giving birth as it can sting (in part due to tears and incisions), and this may inhibit your ability to urinate.

What to Expect After Childbirth

Expect your nurses to be very interested in when you’re ready to pee and how much urine you pass when you do use the bathroom. They want to know your body’s basic functions are returning to normal before they discharge you from the hospital.

Your nurses or doctors will want you to pee within 6 to 8 hours of delivery. If you do not manage to urinate within the designated time frame, your healthcare providers may use a catheter to drain your bladder of urine. They’ll be on the lookout for signs of a urinary tract infection (UTI), as this is one of the main risks with retained urine.

Once you are discharged from the hospital, continue to pay attention to urination and any signs of a urinary tract infection like fever, cloudy urine, urinary urgency and burning.

When to See a Doctor

If you’re only able to pee small amounts, if there’s pain or a burning sensation, or if you experience a fever, make sure to book an appointment to see your doctor.

How Common Is Postpartum Urinary Retention?

Postpartum urinary retention (PPUR) affects roughly 8% of women who give birth (source). Risk factors for experiencing urinary retention include:

• Being catheterized during labor
• Prolonged labor
• An episiotomy, which is an incision made in the perineum—the tissue between the vaginal opening and the anus—during childbirth
• Epidural analgesia
• Perineal tears 

Want to know more about leaking urine postpartum? We've got you covered.

How to Help Your Bladder Recover Immediately Postpartum

There are some steps you can take to help your bladder recover after childbirth. 

Sip, Don’t Gulp

Drinking fluids helps kick your system back into action. Rather than gulping vast quantities of water, sip water continually.

Get Moving (Gently Does It)

Moving around slowly after giving birth can also help your body recalibrate. You may still feel weak, and that is normal, but try to begin as soon as you can, even if it’s with short, accompanied walks up and down the ward. 

Take it easy and listen to your body. As you gain strength, your body will respond, and your systems will find their rhythm again.

If You’re Shy, Ask for a Little Space

It can be difficult to pee with an audience, so if your nurse is hovering over you, don’t feel shy to politely ask for a little space. 

Try Sitz Baths or Ice Packs

If swelling and bruising have caused pain and that is making it difficult for you to urinate, try ice packs or ask your nurse if a sitz bath could help manage the pain.

Picture a Waterfall…

It may be a little silly (and it’s more a way of overcoming a psychological hurdle), but picturing running water can sometimes help if you’re trying to stimulate your urge to urinate. You can also run a tap and that can help too.

Ever wonder why you have the urge to pee but little comes out while pregnant? We've got you covered.

What About Postpartum Urinary Incontinence?

It is common to experience some urinary incontinence during pregnancy, due to:

• Increased pressure on the bladder: Your growing baby puts pressure on the bladder and surrounding organs, which can lead to an increased need to urinate in women during pregnancy and potentially some urinary leakage as well.
• Hormonal changes: Hormonal shifts during pregnancy cause your pelvic floor muscles to relax, which can lead to incontinence.

Stress urinary incontinence can continue after childbirth, and you should talk to your doctor about engaging in pelvic floor physical therapy after 6-8 weeks postpartum to start rehabilitation of the pelvic floor.

Wear Leakproof Underwear While You’re Recovering from Giving Birth

Allow yourself time to recover and provide yourself with tools to ease that recovery time. Soreness, tenderness, and light bladder leaks can be a normal part of recovery. Leakproof incontinence underwear will offer you protection from any involuntary urine leakage and help minimize the inconvenience of postpartum urinary incontinence. 

Do keep your doctor abreast of what’s happening and always be alert to signs of more serious medical concerns. In particular, don’t ignore unusual or persistent pain or bleeding. Always remember: Be kind to yourself—you just gave birth!

Source:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4195322/

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We hope you found this post informative—but remember: we’re not doctors and this post is not medical advice! While all posts are fact-checked and well researched, we always recommend you chat with your doctor about any questions or concerns you might have regarding a medical condition. We’re here to support and educate, but never with the aim of disregarding professional medical advice you’ve been given. Phew, now that that’s out of the way, you can go on living unapologetically free.