Women's experience of revealing perinatal bladder function—Implications for midwifery care

Summary 

Comments of women engaged in a longitudinal study of urinary leaking from first trimester to 12 months following birth provide the data for this paper. Useful insights into the factors contributing to the maintenance of silence and ways to break the barriers to discussion of urinary incontinence before, during and following pregnancy were revealed. Given the prevalence of 30% of Australian women experiencing urinary leaking following pregnancy, it is imperative that midwives engage in discussion and support prevention of this unwelcome outcome of childbirth.

Keywords: Perinatal, Urinary incontinence, Communication, Midwifery, Assessment