You might find that you leak urine after delivering your baby. This is very common and normally a symptom that will improve as your pelvic floor strengthens. If this is a regular problem that does not seem to be improving by six weeks after delivery, please mention it to your GP at your six week check. A referral to a womens health physiotherapist might be helpful to guide you through strengthening your pelvic floor.

If you are struggling to pass urine in association with abdominal pain in the immediate postnatal period, it might be that your bladder is struggling to empty. This is known as urinary retention. It is more common after a long labour, long period of urinary catheterisation or significant vaginal trauma during delivery. If you suspect this is a problem, you should seek urgent medical attention at your place of delivery or local A+E department.

If you have noticed that your urine smells unusual and/or it burns when you pass urine, see your midwife or GP to rule out a urinary tract infection. This is common after having a baby, especially if you had a urinary catheter during your stay in hospital.

If you would like to learn more about bladder and bowel care after childbirth, please click here for a resource from the Royal College of Nursing. It’s intended for health professionals, but has excellent information for Mums as well.