In the first six months after childbirth up to 25 percent of new mothers have trouble with incontinence, loose stools or gas problems. Anal incontinence can be caused by muscle stretching, damaging and tearing during pregnancy and labour. The pelvic floor muscles and sphincter, in particular, can sustain injury during delivery.
 
Assisted vaginal delivery is a common cause of serious tears to the anal sphincter. Injuries are more likely when forceps are used, or an episiotomy is performed. Routine episiotomies have been cited as the leading cause for faecal incontinence. The risk of tearing is greater when the baby is larger than average, when there is a lot of pushing involved, or is the baby is delivered feet-first.
 
Having a c-section before going into labour – as opposed to vaginal birth, or emergency c-section – can minimise the risk of anal incontinence. However, this only prevents incontinence at a young age. A study done on women in their 50's showed that it made no difference how a mother gives birth; they all had a similar rate of anal incontinence at after 50.
 
Studies have shown is that anal incontinence is a greater to risk for women who have had many babies, but this only seems to apply up until the age of menopause. The older a woman becomes, the more chance there is of incontinence, regardless of pregnancy or method of delivery. Other factors unrelated to pregnancy play a part too, such as chronic bowel disorder and obesity.
 
For most new mothers, the discomfort and inconvenience of anal incontinence only lasts for a few months after giving birth and some mothers only develop symptoms years later.
Talk to your doctor or midwife about coping with anal incontinence. Here are a few suggestions:
 
Buy special absorbent underwear, purpose-made for adults. These are available in many pharmacies.
 
Make sure you know how to do Kegel exercises properly. Kegel exercises focus on the pelvic floor muscles, and by strengthening those muscles, you can halt, and even reverse, incontinence, both anal and urinary.
 
If anal incontinence continues, or starts again, after your postpartum check-up, be sure to make another appointment and consult your doctor about it. A specialist can advise you on more intensive pelvic floor exercises, along with giving you a biofeedback program. Your diet may also need adjusting. In some cases, surgery might be needed.

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