Question

A patient is in her third trimester and informs the nurse during her prenatal visit that she is experiencing constipation and stress incontinence. The patient asks the nurse how she can manage these problems. What information should the nurse provide to this patient?

Answer 1

Constipation and stress incontinence are common problems occuring in third trimester.

How to avoid pregnancy incontinence?

The mainstay of managing incontinence are lifestyle changes and bladder management.

1)Kegel exercises- Ask the woman to do Kegel exercises. These are the steps of doing Kegel exercise.

1. Make your bladder empty before doing the exercise. Sit or lie down.

2.Tighten the pelvic floor muscles. Hold the muscles tight and count 3 to 5 seconds.

3. Then relax the muscles and count 3 to 5 seconds

4.Repeat this for 10 times.

5.Do this for 3 times a day(morning, afternoon and night)

2) Avoid caffeinated and carbonated drinks - These types of drinks causes frequent urge for urination.

3) Avoid drinking at night- Don't drink too much before sleep. This avoids leaking at night

4) Maintain a healthy weight. Extra weight around the abdomen increases pressure over the bladder leading to incontinence

How to avoid constipation?

1) Eat foods that are rich in dietary fibres. This prevents constipation. Constipation puts added pressure on pelvic floor causing urinary continence. Thus by eating dietary rich food, both constipation and urinary incontinence can be prevented.

2) Do physical exercises during pregnancy. But do it with caution and do not overdo it.

3) Drink plenty of fluids. Prune juice is good for preventingconstipation.