Stress Incontinence awareness generated in the media

Breaking the Taboo about Stress Urinary Incontinence

Pelvic Floor Health Issues are Common After Childbirth

CBC’s Marika Wheeler Explores The Impact of Pregnancy and Birth on Pelvic Floor Health

Stress urinary incontinence and pelvic floor health were the topic of a documentary presented this week on CBC’s White Coat Black Art.  In the episode, Ms. Wheeler talks with friends and acquaintances who have experienced incontinence during pregnancy and after birth, along with other pelvic health issues such as pain during sex.

The documentary brings up a lot of good questions that we continue to explore on Leakylily; What is pelvic floor health? Is it normal to have pain during sex after giving birth?  Is it normal to leak a little after baby comes along? Is all of this part of the birth experience?  Will it get better on it’s own? How do you make a weakened pelvic floor stronger so that you’re not worried about leaking?

Unfortunately, in Canada, women are largely left to their own devices to solve their pelvic floor related health problems. Though there are pelvic floor health specialists, these experts aren’t widely known of, and may be difficult to access, depending on the region of Canada in which a woman lives. Front-line medical professionals (who would be the most likely to refer someone to a specialist) often know surprisingly little about the pelvic floor and related health issues. Most women who were interviewed for the CBC documentary noted that no one talked to them about their pelvic floor during pregnancy, labour, or post natal care.

As one woman in the interview said, “Women’s health matters, and pelvic floor is an essential part of women’s health.”  Childbirth can wreak havoc on a woman’s body, and our healthcare system has nothing in place to support women in their post-natal recovery.  We’re left to manage health problems that may persist in the long term.  How can that be right?

Listen to a CBC Radio One Documentary Exploring Stress Urinary Incontinence

Read the CBC Radio One Documentary Summary

More from Media

Stress Incontinence on Stage

Incontinence Comedy: Physotherapist takes play Gusset Grippers to Fringe Festival Stress incontinence isn’t a topic that often comes up in casual conversation.  However, if you’ve ever found yourself amongst a group of moms chatting about life, child rearing, post-pregnancy fitness … read more

Post-Pregnancy Incontinence Hack

What do you do when stress incontinence catches you off guard

What do you do when you’re juggling kids and groceries and really have to pee but you know that if you suffer one little bump you’re just not going to make it to a bathroom?  This is reality for many … read more

What About When you Pee Yourself All the Time?

When you Pee all the time after baby

Most women are prepared for body changes throughout pregnancy – we know there’s weight gain, fluid retention, and stretched-out skin.  We don’t immediately expect to bounce back from these things the second baby is born, but the general plan is … read more

Leaks Can’t Stop Me Now

A product placement video by HelloFlo, generating awareness on Stress Urinary Incontinence.  Can you relate? From their website: “We wanted to make a video to show women that we’re all in this together and there is no shame in our … read more

No More Jumping on Trampolines

Stress Urinary Incontinence does not discriminate;  even award winning actresses have to manage the harsh reality of postpartum leaking. Interviewed by Graham Norton on BBC One, Kate Winslet admitted that she “can’t jump on trampolines anymore, I wet myself!” “When … read more

Leakers Anonymous

The truth is that most women who leak want to keep it anonymous because it’s embarrassing –  it takes the average woman about six years managing stress urinary incontinence before she will seek medical support, making SUI a highly under-reported … read more