85% of Moms Struggle With This Postpartum Symptom—Yet Few Get Help

New parents already have plenty on their plates in those first few months postpartum. Between mastering the latch, squeezing in sleep, and recovering from childbirth, worrying about whether you’ll have to change your pants after a sneeze shouldn’t be on the list.

Still, a new survey by Aeroflow found that 85% of postpartum moms experience incontinence, making it a much more common challenge than many realize. Postpartum incontinence is typically divided into two categories: stress incontinence, which causes leakage during activities like coughing, sneezing, laughing, or exercise; and urge incontinence, a sudden, intense need to go—sometimes with little warning.

Whether it’s rushing to the bathroom every few minutes or dealing with unexpected leaks, postpartum incontinence goes beyond an inconvenience. For 71% of mothers, postpartum incontinence significantly impacts their mental health, leaving them feeling anxious, stressed, or self-conscious. More than half (67%) said it has even caused them to miss out on social activities and time with loved ones.

Physically, the effects can add up too—60% of moms reported experiencing complications such as UTIs, vaginal infections, or skin irritation due to incontinence. Yet, despite how common these struggles are, only 15% of moms say they’re getting the care and support they need.

The good news? Support and solutions are out there. While change starts with better education and more proactive healthcare, new moms don’t have to navigate this alone. From working with a pelvic floor therapist to exploring insurance-covered incontinence products, there are resources available to help manage symptoms and feel more confident in your postpartum body.

Check out the full survey results and expert-backed advice on navigating postpartum incontinence at AeroflowUrology.com.