If you have recently had a baby and noticed that you are leaking urine when you cough, sneeze, laugh, or even walk quickly, you are not alone. This is more common than most Nigerian mums realise, yet barely anyone talks about it.
Many women in Nigeria suffer in silence after childbirth, believing that leaking urine is just part of being a mother. Some think it will go away on its own. Others feel too embarrassed to mention it to their husbands, friends, or even their doctor. But the truth is that postpartum urinary incontinence is a medical condition, and there is a lot you can do about it.
Postpartum incontinence is the involuntary leakage of urine after giving birth. It happens because the muscles and tissues that support your bladder — your pelvic floor — get stretched and weakened during pregnancy and delivery. This is especially common after vaginal deliveries, but it can also happen after a caesarean section.
A study published in the Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice in 2025 found that the mode of delivery significantly affects the incidence of urinary incontinence. Women who had vaginal deliveries, particularly those with prolonged labour, had higher rates of incontinence compared to those who had elective caesarean sections.
Research suggests that postpartum urinary incontinence affects a significant number of Nigerian women. One Nigerian study reported that up to 30% of women experience some form of urinary incontinence after childbirth. However, the real number could be much higher because many women never report it.
There are cultural reasons for this silence. In many Nigerian communities, incontinence is seen as a normal consequence of childbirth — something women just have to endure. A review in Frontiers in Global Women’s Health in 2025 noted that urinary incontinence during and after pregnancy is often “normalised” by both healthcare professionals and women themselves, leading to under-treatment and unnecessary suffering.
There are two main types that affect new mums:
Some women experience both types, which is called mixed incontinence.
The pelvic floor is a group of muscles that act like a hammock, holding your bladder, uterus, and bowel in place. During pregnancy, the weight of your growing baby and hormonal changes put extra pressure on these muscles. During vaginal delivery, they can stretch or even tear.
Risk factors include:
Pelvic floor exercises are the first line of treatment. They strengthen the muscles that support your bladder. To do them correctly: squeeze the muscles you would use to stop the flow of urine, hold for 5 seconds, then relax for 5 seconds. Repeat 10 times, three times a day. You can do these anywhere — while breastfeeding, sitting in traffic in Lagos, or watching your favourite Nollywood film.
Do not reduce how much water you drink — staying hydrated is important, especially if you are breastfeeding. But try to avoid drinking large amounts at once. Sip throughout the day. Cut back on caffeine (tea, coffee, soft drinks) as it can irritate your bladder and make urgency worse.
While you are working on strengthening your pelvic floor, incontinence pants and pads can give you the freedom to go about your day without worry. Products like Adult Care Pants are designed to be discreet, comfortable, and effective for postpartum leakage. You can wear them under your clothing — whether you are at the market, in church, or at the office — and nobody will know.
Extra weight puts additional pressure on your bladder and pelvic floor. A balanced diet with plenty of vegetables, lean protein, and fibre can help you reach a healthy weight gradually after childbirth. This is particularly important in Nigeria, where heavy, starchy meals like pounded yam and fufu are staples — try to balance them with plenty of vegetables and fruits.
Straining on the toilet weakens your pelvic floor further. Eat fibre-rich foods like vegetables, beans, and whole grains (brown rice, oats). Drink enough water. If needed, talk to your pharmacist about gentle fibre supplements available at your local pharmacy in Surulere or Ikeja.
Pelvic floor physiotherapy is available in major Nigerian cities including Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt. A trained physiotherapist can assess your pelvic floor and guide you through the right exercises. Some teaching hospitals like LUTH (Lagos University Teaching Hospital) and UCH (University College Hospital, Ibadan) have pelvic health specialists.
Do not wait until your postnatal checkup to mention it if the problem is bothering you. Many Nigerian women wait months or even years before seeking help, believing that it is just part of motherhood. It does not have to be.
