Becoming a mum has so many joys. But it can bring some problems which women are too embarrassed to talk about. Although bladder problems are associated with older women, some young women are trying to cope with them too. They can cause misery for all age groups and even lead to some women becoming "prisoners" in their own homes, says Christine Caddick, specialist nurse at Liverpool Women's Hospital.
She says most new mums find things usually settle down but it can take months and leave some with longer term problems. For those who are still suffering, experts like Christine are holding an Open Day next Monday, 22 June, to mark World Continence Week, when women of all ages can seek advice and support about a wide range of conditions. It will be held in the hospital's Blair Bell Centre from 10am - 4pm. Further information available on 0151-702-4321.
Christine urges women of all ages not to neglect their pelvic floor exercises. "Some celebrity mums make headlines because they seem to regain their figures so quickly after giving birth. But the most important exercises of all, before and after birth are pelvic floor exercises. Girls should start these in their teens," says Christine who with colleagues in the Urodynamics team runs a unique clinic at the hospital in Crown Street and at the hospital's Aintree site for women from all parts of Merseyside.