The Leaky-Diaries: How our bodies change with pregnancy.

Ah, the miracle of birth. Amazing, isn’t it?

There’s nothing quite like seeing your newborn wrapped up like a burrito breathing slowly. But amongst all that staring, you may have noticed something: you’re leaking. 

It’s natural, albeit inconvenient. 

Any new mum will tell you that having a baby will change your body quite dramatically. And while it’s easy to spot the external changes (stretch marks and swollen feet anyone?), internal changes can be a little trickier to track and leaking can slip through the cracks, no pun intended.

So let’s put it all out there; leaks, drips and all. 

Leaky Nipples

During pregnancy, the breasts will often produce milk a few weeks (or even months) before you’re due. It’s called – colostrum, but many mums call it – liquid gold. Colostrum is the first milk your breasts make in preparation for feeding your little bub. Even after you give birth, your nipples can often leak.

So as your body prepares a meal in advance for your little one, we recommend trying Modibodi’s Breastfeeding Cami or the Breastfeeding Bra. The innovative leak-proof cups absorb milk to keep you cool and dry, while the clever antimicrobial lining fights bacteria and odour. They also have front clips and a built-in internal sling for easy one-handed feeding and flexi-fit sizing to adapt to your amazing changing body. 

Leaks between the legs

If that sounds like you, you’re not alone. During and following pregnancy, around 40% of women experience – urinary incontinence. This is often described as the involuntary loss of urine (AKA peeing when you *definitely* did not mean to). Giving birth is an amazing feat for your body to climb and one that should be celebrated every day.

However, what it does do is weaken women’s pelvic floor muscles to make room for more pressing priorities, literally.  This is how and why urine leaks start. We recommend the Postpartum Moderate-Heavy Absorbency Control Brief from Modibodi – so you can feel confident during those leaky days. Plus, pelvic floor exercises are great to strengthen your muscles. 

Here are some Pelvic Floor Exercises to try:

Squeeze and draw in the muscles around your back passage and your vagina at the same time. Lift them up inside. You should have a sense of ‘lift’ each time you squeeze your pelvic floor muscles. Try to hold them strong and tight as you count to 8.

Now, let them go and relax. You should have a distinct feeling of ‘letting go’.

• Repeat ‘squeeze and lift’ and let go. It is best to rest for about 8 seconds in between each lift up of the muscles. If you can’t hold for 8, just hold for as long as you can.
• Repeat this ‘squeeze and lift’ as many times as you can, up to a limit of 8 to 12 squeezes.
• Try to do three sets of 8 to 12 squeezes each, with a rest in between.

Bleeding Post-Birth

Whether you’ve given birth vaginally or via c-section, bleeding after birth is quite common. When the placenta comes away from the uterine wall after your bub is born, the blood vessels holding everything together are opened. So for the next 10 days post-birth, expect your uterus to cleverly contract to squeeze them shut, and for bleeding to occur. 

But instead of using sanitary pads postpartum which are often uncomfortable, bulky and bad for the environment, you can try the Maternity Briefs from Modibodi. With their wide v-shaped waistband designed to sit comfortably below your bump or post-baby belly, the Modibodi Maternity Brief features the most absorbent lining ever to protect from postpartum bleeding (leaks and discharge, too!). 

It’s normal to feel your body change in ways throughout pregnancy and postpartum. Just know, you’re not alone (just take a look at that bub of yours!). 

Clare Whitfield Chief Editor

Clare Whitfield is the Editor of Stay at Home Mum and a recognised voice in practical home management for Australian families. Based in the northern suburbs of Sydney, she balances editorial leadership with life as a stay at home mum to two school age children. Her background in home economics and more than a decade of experience in recipe development, family budgeting, and household systems inform her work.

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