 This fact sheet is available as a print friendly PDF in: English
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Following the birth of your baby, you may have difficulty emptying your bladder or have no sensation to pass urine. This means you can’t fully empty your bladder. If the bladder is not emptying properly then the urine that is left behind can build up over time, this is known as Urinary Retention. Urinary retention can cause over stretching and damage to the bladder and may be caused by:
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- Pressure on the bladder and pelvic floor during delivery.
- Swelling, bruising and/or pain in the pelvic area, particularly around the urethra (tube passing urine).
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What urinary retention might feel like
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- Bladder pain or discomfort
- No sensation to empty the bladder
- Difficulty passing urine
- A sense of not fully emptying
- A slow or a start/stop stream of urine
- A need to strain to pass urine
- Leakage from an overly full bladder.
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How to keep your bladder healthy
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How much you should drink
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New mothers need to be drinking 1.5-2L of fluid each day. Your drinks should be spread out over the day so you don’t suddenly overload the bladder. Not drinking enough fluid can irritate the bladder and make symptoms worse.
Avoid tea, coffee and coca-cola as the caffeine in them can irritate your bladder and can also worsen your symptoms.
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How to go to the toilet
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Do not strain when you empty your bladder and bowels.
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The best position to sit on the toilet is:
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- Sit leaning forward with your feet flat
- Legs wide apart with your elbows on your thighs
- Let your tummy bulge out and relax
- Always sit on the toilet seat. Do not hover above it
- Stay relaxed on the toilet; relax your breathing
- Allow yourself time, do not rush.
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Go to the toilet regularly. To prevent your bladder overfilling go to the toilet every two to three hours.
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Double bladder emptying
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If you feel your bladder has not completely emptied, rock your pelvis backwards and forwards on the toilet seat and try again or stand up, rock your pelvis backwards and forwards then sit down and try again.
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Hints to help empty your bladder
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- Press gently above your pubic bone over your bladder.
- Urinate in a warm shower or bath.
- Running water in the background can help you to empty your bladder.
- Place your hand in cold water as you empty your bladder.
- Ask your midwife or doctor for pain medication if pain is stopping you from emptying your bladder.
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Your pelvic floor muscle exercises
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Your pelvic floor muscles are important for healthy bladder function. Your physiotherapy postnatal handout explains how to perform these exercises correctly. Do your pelvic floor exercises every day. When you are doing your pelvic floor exercises make sure you can feel your pelvic floor muscles relax after each exercise.
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Home advice
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You may also be asked to attend a follow up appointment with a physiotherapist, usually one week following your discharge from hospital.
Your physiotherapist may ask you to fill out a 3 Day Bladder Diary when you go home. You will record the number of drinks you have and the output from your bladder. This information is used to assess how your bladder is functioning.
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Please bring your 3 Day Bladder Diary to your follow up appointment if you have completed one.
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Women experiencing urinary retention may be discharged home from hospital with a catheter still in place. These women will be asked to return to the hospital one week after going home to have their bladder function assessed.
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For more information or concerns
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Urogynaecology Pelvic Floor Service
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Midwife and Continence Advisor
Royal Women's Hospital
Level 1, Women's Health Clinic
Cnr Grattan St & Flemington Rd
Parkville VIC 3052
Tel: (03) 8345 2000
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Physiotherapy Department
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Royal Women's Hospital
Level 1
Cnr Grattan St & Flemington Rd
Parkville VIC 3052
Tel: (03) 8345 3160
Monday to Friday 8.30am - 5.00pm
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Disclaimer
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The Royal Women’s Hospital does not accept any liability to any person for the information or advice (or use of such information or advice) which is provided in this fact sheet or incorporated into it by reference. We provide this information on the understanding that all persons accessing it take responsibility for assessing its relevance and accuracy. Women are encouraged to discuss their health needs with a health practitioner. If you have concerns about your health, you should seek advice from your health care provider or if you require urgent care you should go to the nearest Emergency Dept.
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Published September 2010
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