DISCLAIMER: This post has descriptive verbiage and diagrams, specifically of a woman’s postpartum body. I am posting this not to make you uncomfortable but to help us educate ourselves on how we can live the best lives possible by taking care of our bodies. This is a community of women helping women and I hope this post can do that for you. Sponsored by Finess.
You hold your new baby in your arms.
Everything you thought you knew about love is now a distant memory.
You stare down at this sweet miracle that you brought into this world and you can’t think of anything else.
As the time passes, and the endorphins wear off, you start to feel the soreness and the fatigue and you soon realize the huge journey your body is now trying to recover from.
Your stomach is still large but soft, since it is no longer carrying a life.
You ache in places you never thought were possible.
You see the journey written on your skin as stretch marks that might not ever fade.
Motherhood is so much more than sleepless nights and poop diapers. It’s hard on our bodies and unfortunately this is the part of motherhood that no one tells you about.
I want to encourage an open dialogue about the ways our bodies are impacted by growing tiny humans. It can be embarrassing, I know because sometimes I feel that embarrassment too, but if we never talk about it we can’t support each other like we need to.
Today I want to share a subject that plagues many women but we still don’t talk about it. 1 in 3 women will suffer from this condition and it baffles me that there is a still a stigma that prevents us from having a conversation.
Stress urinary incontinence (SUI)
Have you ever sneezed, coughed, laughed so hard that you pee yourself? Is it impossible for you to work out without some kind of protection? You might have SUI. If you notice you leak during any type of “stressful” activity you could be one of the many women who have to deal with SUI.
We put a lot of stress on our bodies during pregnancy and childbirth and there is a high percentage of women who are impacted by SUI because of it.
“Even a seemingly uneventful pregnancy and delivery can change urinary control for up to 50 percent of women,” says Roger Goldberg, M.D., director of urogynecology research at the University of Chicago North Shore University
This condition is so prominent in women, especially mothers, and it’s so important that we talk about it to put down the stigma and help each other live a more comfortable life.
I recently came across this product called Finess.
Finess helps prevent light to moderate bladder leaks by creating a temporary seal over the urethra (the opening where urine passes out of your bladder). Finess is made from a material found in many medical products used in contact with sensitive tissue, and the components of the hydrogel adhesive have also been used in other medical devices such as contact lenses. It is hard for me to even describe in words how soft Finess feels to the touch. It’s smooth and light and perfect for your the sensitive area of your body.
Here is a little video to show you how Finess works
Up until now our only answer to this plaguing condition was to wear a bulky pad. We all know how uncomfortable that can be, especially when working out. Finess is discreet and comfortable and it’s easy to apply.
Here is a little tutorial on how to apply Finess from the experts themselves:
I know it might seem a little intimidating, trying something new for the first time, but with a few practice tries you will be applying your Finess quickly and easily.
With my bladder issues I found myself making excuses. Coming to terms with the fact there would be things I just couldn’t do. I felt like I had to wrap my mind around the fact that I had to “just deal with it”. Women shouldn’t have to “just deal with it” and I hope by sharing this product I can help bring back those things that you love to do back into your life.
We shouldn’t have to restrict ourselves just because we are mothers.
We can adapt and flourish because of it.
If you are interested in trying Finess for yourself the company was kind enough to offer my readers a coupon code.
Use code: grayrubydiaries for 10% off your order on Finess.com
This is an opportunity for us to take our life back and start doing the things that we love. Maybe it’s having a tickle fest with your toddler or getting back to the exercise routine you love so much. There is no reason why we can’t support each other and get back to doing the things we are passionate about.
Do you think you suffer from SUI? Share your story below.
The more we talk about it the more we can help other mothers feel comfortable in their own skin.
You can read about my home birth HERE and HERE
