Incontinence After Pregnancy: You’re Not Alone—And It’s Treatable

Bringing a baby into the world is a life-changing experience—but let’s be honest, it’s also incredibly tough on your body. While most new mums expect sleepless nights and tired arms, many are caught off guard by something a bit more unexpected: leaking urine when sneezing, coughing, or even laughing.

If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. In fact, postnatal incontinence is extremely common. But just because it’s common, doesn’t mean you have to live with it.

At Proactive Physiotherapy, we want every mum to know that leakage after birth is not something you have to “just put up with.” With the right support, the right exercises, and a clear plan, you can regain control and feel confident again.

So, Why Does Incontinence Happen After Pregnancy?

Your pelvic floor is a group of muscles that sits at the base of your pelvis, supporting your bladder, bowel, and uterus. These muscles also play a big role in controlling when you go to the toilet.

During pregnancy and childbirth, the pelvic floor muscles can become stretched, weakened, or sometimes even injured. This is especially true after:

• A vaginal delivery

• A long or difficult labour

• Use of forceps or vacuum during birth

• A big baby or multiple pregnancies

Even mums who’ve had a caesarean can experience incontinence. Pregnancy alone—just by carrying a growing baby—puts pressure on the pelvic floor.

The result? Leaks happen when pressure builds up in the abdomen, like when you cough, sneeze, laugh, or run. This is known as stress incontinence. Some women also experience urge incontinence, which is a sudden, strong need to go to the toilet—sometimes with little warning.

You Are Not Alone—And You Don’t Have to Keep Managing It Alone Either

One of the hardest parts about postnatal incontinence is how isolating it can feel. Many women say things like:

“I never expected this.”
“I didn’t know it would last this long.”
“I thought I was the only one.”

But here’s the truth: incontinence after pregnancy is incredibly common—and completely treatable. You don’t have to rely on pads forever, avoid running, or skip out on the activities you love.

How Can Pelvic Floor Physio Help?

If you’re searching for answers, you’re already taking the first step. At Proactive Physiotherapy, our experienced pelvic floor physios in Cairns offer gentle, effective support that’s tailored to your body and your goals.

Here’s what that process looks like:

1. A Thorough (and Respectful) Assessment

We’ll chat with you about your experience, birth history, current symptoms, and daily habits. If you're comfortable, we may also do a pelvic floor muscle check to assess strength and coordination. This is always done with your consent and comfort in mind.

2. A Personalised Recovery Plan

No two bodies are the same—so your recovery plan shouldn’t be either. We’ll guide you through pelvic floor exercises that are appropriate for your stage of healing, and help you build strength gradually, safely, and effectively.

You’ll learn:

• How to properly activate your pelvic floor (it’s trickier than it sounds!)

• How to coordinate your breathing and core with pelvic floor function

• How to avoid habits that may be making the issue worse

3. Support for the Long Term

Our aim isn’t just short-term improvement. We want to help you feel strong and confident long term—whether that means lifting your toddler without leaking, returning to running, or simply laughing without worry.

We’ll also give you guidance on:

• Safe return to exercise

• Managing lifting and movement in daily life

• Building core strength in a functional, safe way

When Should You Seek Help?

If you’re experiencing any of the following, it’s a good idea to reach out:

• Leaking urine during activity

• Feeling like you can’t hold it in

• Frequent urges to go to the toilet

• A sense of heaviness or dragging in the pelvis

• Difficulty fully emptying your bladder

Whether your baby is 6 weeks, 6 months, or 6 years old—it’s never too late to start your pelvic floor recovery.

Final Thoughts: You Deserve to Feel Confident Again

There’s no prize for powering through pelvic floor symptoms alone. If you’ve been putting off getting support because you're too busy, unsure, or just didn’t realise help was available—this is your reminder that you deserve care, too.

At Proactive Physiotherapy, our team of pelvic floor physios in Cairns is here to help you move, laugh, lift, and live—without worrying about leaks.

📅 Book your postnatal pelvic floor assessment today. Let’s rebuild your confidence, one step (and squeeze!) at a time.