Ferne McCann Gets Real about Exercising With a Leaking Bladder After Giving Birth

From Women's Health

When Ferne McCann shares a gym snap with her 2.5m followers on Instagram, they see stylish kit and a strong body. But the former TOWIE favourite – who also won hearts on I'm A Celeb and headed-up her own show First Time Mum – has revealed that she has suffered from a leaking bladder during exercise since welcoming her daughter Sunday in 2017.

'I was so embarrassed,' the star, 29, tells WH of the urinary incontinence she experienced, which affects about a third of women in the first year after having a baby, due to the weight of the baby during pregnancy and weakening of the muscles in labour.

'It wasn’t until after giving birth that it started to happen and it kept getting worse for a period of time. It stopped me from doing cardio – Barry's Bootcamp in particular – which was gutting because I loved it. It also made me scared of long car journey and walks, as well as sneezing and laughing.'

Fortunately, Ferne, who is working with Always Discreet to encourage women of all ages to do their pelvic floor exercises as part of their daily routine, opened up to an expert. 'I told my PT Ellie [Hopley] who explained how we could incorporate pelvic floor exercises into my routine,' she says. 'When I did hip thrusts I'd squeeze my pelvic floor -– and I started doing it while brushing my teeth. I want to encourage all mums-to-be and new mums to do them.'

'I can't believe how many women have experienced bladder leaks like me,' she adds. But it's good news: she's made such positive progress that Barry's is now back on the schedule.

Ferne McCann has partnered with Always Discreet to encourage women of all ages to do their pelvic floor exercises as part of their daily routine to put the squeeze on bladder leaks.

Before you go, here's 7 things you need to know about your pelvic floor...

• It's a hammock-shaped web of muscles - Simplified, its purpose is to hold up the pelvic organs, keep the bladder and bowel closed until you choose to go to the loo, and promote an orgasmic response during sex.

• Your mental health could be affected - a whopping 30 per cent of women who suffer from incontinence also have depression.

• High-impact cardio makes it worse - a study found high rates of stress incontinence among female triathletes, with 37.4 per cent of those surveyed affected, while female runners were similarly afflicted.

• Constipation can also put you at risk - Being blocked up can raise the likelihood of a weakened pelvic floor, as straining to ‘go’ also puts a lot of pressure on these muscles.

• To work your pelvic floor, contract the back passage as if stopping wind - At the same time squeeze at the front as if trying to stop the flow of urine.

• Make sure your buttocks aren’t contracting - It’s not the bottom you sit on that you’re trying to contract, it’s the area around your anus and vagina.

• Ideally, do your exercises three times a day - Try 10 long squeezes, holding for 10 seconds, followed by 10 quick squeezes. Let the muscles relax after each contraction.

Recently given birth and been given the all-clear to exercise by a doctor? Try this 20-minute workout from fellow new mum Simone De La Rue.

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