Pregnancy can leak some pretty unpleasant surprises. Let`s say you are in the throes of advanced pregnancy when you`re attending a family function. Someone`s tells a good joke that makes you laugh your heart out when you suddenly become aware of a warm trickle running down your thighs. As you hurriedly excuse yourself, leaving a sodden trail for all to see, you know it`s more than your dress that`s been severely dampened.

Involuntary passing of urine is a common symptom of pregnancy, as many experienced mothers will attest. Fortunately there are ways to control it and make life easier.

What causes it?
Increase in the amount of blood in the body during pregnancy generally leads to increased urination. But incontinence usually occurs around the third trimester due to the pressure exerted by the growing uterus on your bladder. This pressure continually acts against the bladder`s sphincter, a valve that regulates the passing of urine.

In such a situation any additional stress is enough to cause the sphincter to temporarily give way, letting out a spurt of urine. Incontinence during pregnancy is thus known as stress incontinence. Sneezing, coughing, laughing or exercising are common triggers for this type of incontinence. The problem is compounded in women with an overactive bladder who feel have a frequent urge to urinate.

Often incontinence resolves itself after childbirth. At other times it may develop after childbirth, even after an interval of many years in some cases. This could be the result of certain effects of pregnancy or labor including:

• Weakening of the muscles in the pelvis or those surrounding the urethra.
• Damage to the nerves and tissues in the bladder.
• Shift in the position, called prolapse, of the bladder or urethra.

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