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Still leaking when you sneeze, run, jump or laugh years after having children? You might have been told it's "just part of having kids." It may be common, but that doesn't mean you have to live with it. Why does leaking happen after childbirth? Pregnancy and childbirth place significant demands on your pelvic floor. Changes can affect the muscles, connective tissues and the way your pelvic floor works with your breathing and abdominal muscles. You may notice leaking when you: Cough or sneeze Run or jump Exercise Lift something heavy Laugh Suddenly need to empty your bladder But leaking doesn't automatically mean your pelvic floor is simply "weak." Sometimes the issue is strength. Other times it's coordination, timing, muscle tension, bladder habits or how your body manages pressure. "But my kids are years old..." It's never too late to address pelvic floor symptoms. You may have adapted by wearing pads, avoiding running or jumping, crossing your legs when you sneeze, or always finding a toilet before leaving the house. These things can become so normal that you forget they're symptoms. You shouldn't have to organise your life around your bladder. What can help? A pelvic health physiotherapist can assess what's contributing to your leakage and develop a treatment plan based on your symptoms and goals. This may include pelvic floor muscle training, breathing and pressure management, bladder strategies, strengthening and movement retraining. And no — it's not always as simple as "just do more Kegels." The bottom line Having children can explain why your symptoms started. It doesn't mean you have to accept them forever. Whether your youngest is six months old or 16 years old, pelvic floor symptoms are worth assessing. If you're leaking after having children, talk to a pelvic health physiotherapist. You don't have to put up with it.
Finding skid marks in your child's underwear can be frustrating. But before assuming they're being lazy or not wiping properly, there's something important to know: Repeated poo stains can be a sign of constipation. And your child may not be doing it on purpose. How can constipation cause skid marks? When children hold their poo, stool can build up in the rectum. Over time, the rectum can become stretched and less sensitive to the feeling of needing to poo. Softer stool can then leak around the harder stool and into their underwear. This can look like: Brown marks or smears Small amounts of poo in their underwear Strong-smelling underwear Regular accidents despite being toilet trained Your child may genuinely not feel it happening. Why do kids hold their poo? Often, it starts with a painful bowel movement. A child may then become afraid of pooing and start holding it in. You might notice them: Crossing their legs Squeezing their bottom Standing on their tiptoes Hiding when they need to poo Avoiding the toilet Unfortunately, holding on can make the stool harder and larger, creating a cycle of pain → withholding → constipation → leakage. Could the pelvic floor be involved? Yes. To poo comfortably, the pelvic floor needs to relax and coordinate with the bowel and abdominal muscles. Some children have difficulty relaxing these muscles when trying to poo. This can make emptying harder and contribute to constipation and soiling. What can parents and carers do? If your child regularly has skid marks, look for other signs of constipation: Large or hard poos Straining Pain when pooing Tummy aches or bloating Hiding to poo Toilet avoidance Frequent underwear accidents Rather than blaming or shaming your child, speak with your GP or a healthcare professional experienced in children's bowel health. A paediatric pelvic health physiotherapist can assess toileting habits, positioning, pelvic floor coordination and relaxation, and help your child develop more comfortable bowel habits. The Bottom Line Skid marks aren't always a hygiene problem. If they're happening regularly, they may be your child's body's way of telling you they're constipated or struggling to empty their bowel properly. Your child isn't necessarily being lazy—and shame won't fix the problem. If your child is regularly soiling their underwear or struggling with constipation, a paediatric pelvic health physiotherapist can help you work out why and what to do next.
Ever finish urinating and immediately feel like there's still some left? Maybe you find yourself sitting on the toilet for longer, going back for a second wee, or returning to the bathroom shortly after. That feeling of incomplete bladder emptying is common, but it's not something you should automatically ignore. Why might this happen? There are several reasons you might feel like you haven't completely emptied your bladder. Your pelvic floor may not be relaxing properly Your pelvic floor muscles need to relax to allow urine to flow freely. If they're tense or you're unconsciously holding them while trying to wee, the bladder outlet may not open as effectively. This can make it feel like you need to push, wait or try again. You're rushing or hovering Your bladder generally works best when you can sit comfortably, relax and give yourself time to empty. Hovering over the toilet, rushing, or constantly tightening your abdominal or pelvic muscles can make it harder to fully relax. And straining or pushing your urine out isn't usually the answer. Constipation can play a role Your bowel and bladder sit very close together. A full or constipated bowel can put pressure on the bladder and may affect bladder sensation and emptying. You don't necessarily need to be severely constipated for this to have an impact. If you're also experiencing bloating, infrequent bowel movements, hard stools or difficulty fully emptying your bowels, it's worth considering the bowel–bladder connection. Your bladder may be sending confusing signals Sometimes the sensation of incomplete emptying doesn't necessarily mean your bladder is actually full. Bladder irritation, urgency, infection and changes in pelvic floor sensitivity can all affect the way you perceive bladder filling and emptying. This is why the sensation you experience doesn't always tell us exactly what's happening. Should you keep trying to "get the last bit out"? You might find yourself doing a second wee immediately after the first, just to make sure you've completely emptied. Occasionally this is harmless, but repeatedly going back and trying to squeeze out more urine can reinforce the habit of checking your bladder. Instead, try sitting comfortably, relaxing your belly and pelvic floor, and allowing your bladder time to empty without pushing. If you consistently feel unable to empty, however, it's worth getting assessed rather than simply trying harder. When should you get checked? Speak with your GP or pelvic health physiotherapist if you regularly experience: A persistent feeling of incomplete emptying Difficulty starting your urine stream A weak or interrupted stream Needing to strain to urinate Needing to urinate again immediately after finishing Frequent or urgent urination Recurrent urinary tract infections Pain or burning when urinating Difficulty emptying your bladder If you suddenly cannot urinate at all despite having a strong urge, seek urgent medical attention. What can a pelvic health physiotherapist do? Your physiotherapist can look at your bladder habits, bowel function, pelvic floor muscle coordination and how you're actually using your muscles when you urinate. Sometimes the answer isn't to strengthen the pelvic floor — it may be learning how to relax it properly. Treatment may include bladder strategies, pelvic floor relaxation, breathing techniques, bowel management and changes to toileting habits. The Bottom Line Feeling like you haven't fully emptied your bladder doesn't always mean your bladder is the problem. Your pelvic floor, bowel, toileting habits and bladder sensitivity can all play a role. If you're regularly finishing a wee and thinking, "I still need to go," don't just keep pushing or making endless trips back to the toilet. Understanding why you're getting that sensation is the first step towards finding a solution.
