Washable Incontinence Pants for Maternity and Postpartum Use

Washable Incontinence Pants for Maternity and Postpartum Use

Pregnancy and the birth of your baby are precious times filled with joy. During pregnancy and after childbirth, it’s perfectly normal for your body to go through changes. One change that many women experience is finding it hard to control the bladder, which can lead to leaks. But there’s nothing to worry about, incontinence in pregnant and post-partum women is completely normal, and we’ve got you covered.

TENA's washable incontinence pants for women feel just like your normal underwear. They'll keep you dry, giving you support and a secure feeling during and after pregnancy. But before we talk more about underwear, let's delve deeper into incontinence and why it can occur during maternity and postpartum.

What is incontinence?

Incontinence is the involuntary release of urine caused by your body losing control of your bladder. It might look like a small leak or large amounts of liquid, and it can happen frequently or occasionally. There are a few different types of incontinence, but the type most likely to affect you during your pregnancy or after birth is called stress incontinence.

Stress incontinence occurs when urine leaks out due to pressure on the bladder. It can be caused by coughing, laughing, or even just standing up.

What causes incontinence during pregnancy?

Your body goes through lots of physical changes during pregnancy to prepare for your baby. Here's how these changes can affect your bladder and cause incontinence:

  • During pregnancy, your body produces hormones that stretch the muscles and tissues that support your bladder, bowel and uterus. This group of muscles is called the pelvic floor. Sometimes, it's helpful to imagine it like a hammock that supports your organs from underneath. While this stretching is helpful for supporting the extra weight of your baby and during delivery, it can also weaken your pelvic floor at the same time. This sometimes leads to incontinence.
  • As your baby grows in your uterus, there is added pressure on your bladder. The bladder can also become a little squished, making it hold less urine. This is because your uterus sits behind your bladder.
  • Your pelvic floor muscles will also weaken and become flexible because of extra progesterone. This makes it difficult to hold your urine when the urge comes, so you might experience leaks in your pants or the occasional accident.

What causes incontinence after birth?

Incontinence can often happen after birth because the pelvic floor remains stretched after being weakened during delivery to accommodate your baby. This can give you a more difficult time controlling your bladder for a few weeks, or even a few months postpartum.

Your uterus also shrinks as it returns to its pre-pregnancy size, which makes it apply pressure directly to the bladder. This pressure can cause sudden leaks and is a common part of recovering after giving birth for many women. [1]

Also, the muscles and nerves that control the bladder in the pelvic floor can be damaged during birth, leading to more frequent leaks. Vaginal delivery, especially with the use of tools like forceps, can sometimes damage the pelvic floor, further contributing to incontinence.

This can be a lot to take in, but incontinence is a common side effect of childbirth and will usually resolve as your body heals. [2]

If you're starting to feel concerned about any symptoms you're experiencing, or if you’ve experienced these incontinence symptoms for longer than 6 weeks, you should reach out to a medical professional for help and reassurance. [2]

Meanwhile, using a product like washable incontinence underwear can help you manage and feel more confident while you're taking care of your new bundle of joy.

How washable pants for incontinence can help

TENA's washable pants are crafted to provide protection and comfort, offering reliable support both during pregnancy and after childbirth.

Keeping you comfortable

Our washable pants are super comfortable, so you can feel like yourself. The pants' stretchy, soft and breathable fabric keeps you feeling your best.

Styles for everyday

Unlike most post-pregnancy underwear, the pants come in a range that feels like your everyday underwear. Whether you prefer a classic style or love a regular cut, you can stay dry while feeling comfortable and protected.

How long can I wear them for?

Our washable underwear for incontinence has been developed for light leaks. How long you can wear your underwear really depends on how heavy the urine leaks you're experiencing are. We're all different, and leaks can be unpredictable during pregnancy and after birth.

But don't fret! Our pants are easy to wash — TENA's washable post-partum pants for incontinence can be washed along with your clothes at 40 degrees. Just pop them in the washing machine, and they'll be ready to wear again and again.

Can I wear pants for incontinence at night time?

While pregnancy can cause difficulty sleeping, leaking during the night can be one less worry with TENA.

If you experience odd light drops of pee during the night, you can wear TENA washable underwear to keep you feeling protected. If you think you need additional protection, TENA has a wide range of liners, pads and pants to choose from for the night-time.

Finding support

Incontinence can take a little while to get used to, but it's important to know that it is very common and you are not alone. During and after pregnancy, as many as 4 in 10 women experience urinary incontinence. [3]

During this time, talking to loved ones who can offer comfort and understanding or reaching out to friends who may have had similar experiences can make a significant difference. Seeking advice from healthcare professionals and using products specially designed for incontinence can also help you manage your symptoms and maintain your confidence.

Want to try TENA washable incontinence pants? See how you can find your size and start experiencing comfortable incontinence protection.

References

[1] Postpartum Urinary Incontinence: How to Manage Loss of Bladder Control After Birth (whattoexpect.com)
[2] Urinary incontinence after childbirth: Causes and treatment (medicalnewstoday.com)
[3] Incontinence After Childbirth | CU Urogynecology | Colorado (coloradowomenshealth.com)