First off, congrats, mama! You just brought a tiny human into the world, which is basically the Olympic decathlon of bodily miracles. You’ve earned yourself a standing ovation, a nap, and maybe a lifetime supply of pads (unfortunately).
But here’s what usually happens:
You survive childbirth. You limp your way to that 6-week postpartum checkup. You expect a deep conversation about what just happened to your body.
Instead, you get:
“How’s baby sleeping?”
“Are you breastfeeding?”
“Feeling sad?”
“Okay! You’re cleared for sex and squats. Byeeee!”
Um. Excuse me??
What about me? What about my bladder? What about the fact that sneezing now feels like a full contact sport?
Let’s talk about what your doctor should be asking. And yes, this is coming from your friends at CNTRL+, the brand that believes bladder leaks aren’t a secret, they’re a conversation.
1. “Are you experiencing any bladder leaks?”
Translation: Do you pee when you laugh, sneeze, jump, run, or even think about jumping?
This is not a quirky postpartum badge of honor. It’s stress urinary incontinence. It happens when pregnancy and childbirth stretch out your pelvic floor like a worn-out scrunchie. And no, it’s not “just part of being a mom”, it’s a medical issue that deserves real support, not just a jumbo box of liners.
2. “How does your pelvic floor feel?”
Which is a weird question, because how do you feel your pelvic floor? But a good provider will ask things like:
“Do you feel pressure or heaviness down there?”
“Any discomfort during movement or sex?”
“Do you feel like things are still… holding where they should be?”
If your pelvic floor feels like it’s on vacation and forgot to tell you, you deserve more than a shrug and a sympathy pad.
3. “Are you avoiding activities you used to love?”
You shouldn’t have to retire from running, hiking, yoga, or chasing your toddler across a splash pad just because your bladder throws tantrums now. A good doctor will check in about whether you’ve stopped doing things that make you feel strong, free, and like you.
(And if they don’t ask, we will.)
4 “Do you feel in control of your body?”
After birth, it can feel like your body belongs to the baby, the pump, the postpartum hormones, or some weird new version of gravity. But your body is still yours. You deserve to feel in control, supported, and confident. And yes, that includes down there.
5. “Want to talk about non-surgical, real solutions?”
Look, you don’t have to jump from “my pants are damp” to “book the OR.” There’s a middle ground, and it’s called CNTRL+.
We created a reusable, internal bladder support that works like a backup muscle for your pelvic floor. Pop it in like a tampon, and suddenly downward dog isn’t your mortal enemy. You can run, jump, lift, dance, sneeze… and not leak. Revolutionary, right?
If your doctor doesn’t ask, ask for yourself.
You’re not being dramatic. You’re not being needy. You’re being someone who just pushed a watermelon out of her body and now wants her life back.
Bladder leaks? Pelvic pain? Weird pressure? They’re not embarrassing. They’re common, and they’re treatable.
So go ahead and ask the questions. Or print this blog post out and dramatically slide it across the exam table at your next appointment like a boss. Either way, we’ve got your back. And your bladder.
