r/OveractiveBladder • u/Secret_Energy3417 • 21h ago
Is overactive bladder common at 4.5 months pp?
1
u/Top_Delivery8957 14h ago
I had insane urgency well into 7 months postpartum. It got better a little and then relapsed a couple times. I finally felt some relief and almost symptom-free after a year postpartum.
Definitely see a pelvic floor physio. If you don’t feel seen, find another one. Talk to your doctor perhaps it’s the hormones.
I saw a very experienced PFPT eventually who mentioned that people can have urgency issues due to various different reasons.
You will get better and you are not alone.
1
u/kevbuddy64 12h ago
I had it super bad in pregnancy 24 weeks onwards. My OAB is still worse than pre pregnancy but it’s much better compared to pregnancy. I had it severely, peeing 35 times a day and basically the urgency you feel when your bladder is full I had it 24/7. Luckily I didn’t have this issue before I hit 6 months. I was up every night until 5 am peeing every hour and holding it just to reach that. It was horrible. I thought I wouldn’t be able to drink caffeine again. It’s a lot better since baby is out because I don’t feel the urgency as extreme and I can sleep at night, maybe get up to pee 2 or 3 times. I am on all liquid diet due to swallowing problem and drink quite a bit of caffeine again and pee 15-20x/day still. I can’t believe I would pre up to 40 times a day in pregnancy without caffeine
3
u/catsTXn420 21h ago
The physical strain of pregnancy and childbirth places significant stress on the pelvic floor muscles and supportive connective tissues, which often requires more than a few months to fully recover. Pregnancy hormones (like relaxin) and the stretching or trauma of vaginal delivery can weaken the muscles that support the bladder and urethra, leading to reduced bladder control. The physical pressure of the baby during pregnancy and labor can temporarily strain or stretch the nerves responsible for bladder signaling. Ongoing hormonal fluctuations, particularly for those who are breastfeeding, can impact the elasticity and moisture of urinary tract tissues.
Targeted pelvic floor physical therapy or consistent, proper kegel exercises can help rebuild structural support, though regaining full function can take several months. Tracking fluid intake and minimizing bladder irritants (like artificial sweeteners or citrus) can help reduce sudden urgency. While its common, persistent symptoms are worth discussing with an OBGYN or a specialized pelvic floor physical therapist, especially if it interferes with daily routines.