Postpartum bowel incontinence (also called faecal incontinence) is way more common than most people realise - about 1 in every 33 women experience it after giving birth [1].

If you’re dealing with it, you might notice things like:

• Trouble holding in a bowel movement
• Needing to go right now
• Finding unexpected smears in your underwear
• Accidentally passing gas

The good news? For most women, these symptoms ease up within a few months after giving birth. But if they stick around, don’t stress—there are ways to manage and treat it. You’re not alone, and help is out there!

How does childbirth cause postpartum bowel incontinence?

Let’s talk about how childbirth can lead to bowel incontinence and why your pelvic floor plays such a big role. 

The pelvic floor is a team of muscles, nerves, and ligaments that work together with your pelvic organs—like the uterus, birth canal, bladder, rectum, and anal sphincter. Since these muscles help control your bowels, any damage to them can make it harder to hold things in.

During vaginal childbirth, your pelvic floor goes through a lot. Pushing for a long time and the baby moving through the birth canal can weaken the pelvic floor or even cause tears in the anal sphincter or perineum. 

In fact, one study found that tears to the anal sphincter during delivery are a major risk factor for developing faecal incontinence [1]. Forceps-assisted deliveries, in particular, have the highest risk of tearing and later incontinence.

There’s also evidence that vaginal births carry a higher risk of postpartum bowel incontinence compared to C-sections [2]. But it’s worth noting that C-sections aren’t a guaranteed shield—about 5% of mums who had a C-section developed the condition, according to another study [3].

Every birth experience is unique, but understanding how your pelvic floor is involved can help you feel more informed and empowered. 

How to treat postpartum bowel incontinence

A lot of women deal with the physical and emotional challenges of postpartum bowel incontinence quietly, but here’s the thing—it’s super common to experience changes in bowel function in the first few months after giving birth.

The good news? There are plenty of treatment options available to help.

The first step is to chat with your GP about what you’re experiencing. They’ll look at your symptoms and medical history to figure out what’s going on and come up with a treatment plan that works best for you.

Depending on your situation, the options might include:

• Medication
• Pelvic physiotherapy
• Surgery (only for more serious cases)
  

You don’t have to go through this alone—there’s help out there, and you deserve to feel your best!

How to deal with bowel incontinence at home

If you’re dealing with bowel, or faecal, incontinence after giving birth, there are things you can do alongside your doctor’s advice to help manage the symptoms and keep living your life confidently and comfortably. 

Here are a three tips:

1. Tweak Your Diet

Certain foods and drinks can make symptoms worse. Think caffeine, alcohol, and spicy food.

Try keeping a food diary to spot any specific triggers and limit or avoid those that don’t agree with you.

2. Strengthen Your Pelvic Floor

Since a weakened pelvic floor can contribute to the condition, regular pelvic floor exercises (like kegels) can make a big difference. These exercises help build strength and give better support to your pelvic organs.

3. Use Quality Incontinence Aids

You can feel confident and fresh with the right incontinence aids, like Invizi Pants. They’re absorbent, fast-drying, slim enough to stay invisible under clothes, and neutralise odours.

Not sure what’s best for you? Take our Invizi Fit Quiz - it only takes a couple of minutes and gives personalised product recommendations. Or you can reach out to our friendly customer support team via email, phone, or web chat for advice.

Postpartum bowel incontinence can be challenging, but you’re not alone and it is manageable. There are plenty of options and support available to help you feel like yourself again!