If you are six months postpartum and still dealing with bladder leaks, you are not alone. Over 25% of women at this stage experience urinary leaking. Many moms wait, hoping it will get better on its own. But research shows that waiting past six months rarely leads to improvement. The good news? Pelvic floor therapy is highly effective, and it is never too late to get help.
TLDR: Postpartum leaking at 6 months affects about 1 in 4 women. Symptoms often get worse, not better, as you return to normal activities. Pelvic floor physical therapy is the recommended first treatment, and most women see real improvement within weeks. You do not have to live with this.
You Are Not Imagining This
You sneeze and leak. You pick up your toddler and leak. You try to get back to running, and your body reminds you that something is not right. Maybe you have been told this is “just part of being a mom.” Maybe you feel embarrassed to bring it up, even to your doctor.
Here is the truth: leaking is common, but it is not something you have to accept. And waiting for it to go away on its own is not a solid plan.
Many women in Noblesville and central Indiana come to us after months of hoping things would improve. They feel relieved to learn that their experience is shared by so many others, and that real solutions exist.
Why This Matters for Long-Term Healing
The numbers tell an important story. About 31% of postpartum women experience urinary incontinence in the first year after birth. At the six-month mark, around 25.8% still have symptoms.
What surprises many women is this: the rate of leaking actually rises between 3 and 12 months postpartum. It goes from about 21% at three months to 32% at one year. Why? Because as you return to daily activities, work, exercise, and caring for a growing baby, your body faces more physical demands. Without proper support, the continence system struggles to keep up.
Your pelvic floor muscles do most of their natural healing in the first four to six months after delivery. After that window, symptoms that remain are unlikely to resolve without professional guidance.
This is why postpartum leaking at 6 months is a critical checkpoint. If you are still experiencing bothersome symptoms at this stage, it is time to seek help from a pelvic floor specialist.
Common Barriers and Misconceptions
Many women put off getting help because of beliefs that simply are not true. Let us clear up a few:
“It will get better on its own.” Research shows the opposite. Leaking often gets worse, not better, as you become more active. The body adapts to leaking rather than healing from it.
“This is just my new normal as a mom.” It does not have to be. Postpartum urinary incontinence treatment is highly effective. Most women see significant improvement with the right care.
“I should have gotten help sooner. Now it is too late.” It is never too late. Many patients come to us a year or more after giving birth and still achieve excellent results.
“Kegels alone will fix it.” Not always. In fact, doing the wrong exercises can make things worse. Some women actually have tight or overactive pelvic floor muscles, not weak ones. You need a proper assessment to know what your body actually needs.
The RHW Approach to Postpartum Leaking
At Restorative Health & Wellness, we take a whole-person approach to pelvic health therapy. We know that every woman’s body is different, and cookie-cutter solutions do not work.
Your first visit includes a thorough evaluation. We look at:
- Pelvic floor muscle function (strength, coordination, and tension)
- Core activation and how it connects to your pelvic floor
- Diastasis recti (abdominal separation)
- Scar mobility if you had a C-section or tearing
- Bladder and bowel function
- Any pain or discomfort you are experiencing
From there, we create a personalized treatment plan. Not all leaking comes from weak muscles. Some women have overactive or tight pelvic floors. Others have poor coordination between their breathing and pelvic muscles. Your plan addresses your specific needs.
According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, pelvic floor exercises with physical therapy guidance are the recommended first-line treatment for postpartum stress urinary incontinence. This conservative, evidence-based approach is exactly what we provide.
Most treatment plans involve 8 to 12 sessions spread over 3 to 4 months. Many women notice improvement within the first few weeks.
A Real Patient Story
One patient came to us eight months after having her first baby. She had assumed the leaking was just permanent now. She had stopped running, avoided jumping with her kids, and always knew where the nearest bathroom was.
During her evaluation, we discovered something surprising. Her pelvic floor was not weak. It was actually tight and overactive. She also had poor coordination between her breathing and her pelvic muscles. Traditional kegels would have made her symptoms worse.
We worked on relaxation techniques, diaphragmatic breathing, and proper muscle coordination. Within six weeks, she noticed a significant reduction in leaking during exercise. By 12 weeks, she was back to running without leaks. She told us she finally felt like herself again.
Simple Steps You Can Take Today
While professional evaluation is important, there are a few things you can start doing now:
Track when leaking happens. Does it occur when you cough? Sneeze? Run? Lift something heavy? This information helps your therapist understand your patterns.
Practice diaphragmatic breathing. Breathing deeply into your belly supports pelvic floor coordination. Lie on your back, place a hand on your belly, and breathe so your hand rises and falls. This simple practice helps relax tight muscles and improve function.
Avoid “just in case” peeing. Going to the bathroom before you actually need to can retrain your bladder to signal urgency too early. Try to wait until you feel a moderate urge.
Do not delay getting an evaluation. Symptoms at six months rarely self-resolve. The sooner you get help, the sooner you can feel confident again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is leaking at 6 months postpartum normal? It is common, affecting about 25 to 31% of women. But just because it is common does not mean you have to live with it. Treatment is highly effective at any postpartum stage.
Will it get better on its own if I wait longer? Research shows that prevalence actually rises from 3 to 12 months as activity increases. Waiting typically does not help. Professional treatment does.
How long does treatment take? Most patients complete 8 to 12 sessions over 3 to 4 months. Many notice improvement within the first few weeks of starting therapy.
Do I need a referral? Not always. Contact RHW directly to discuss your symptoms and insurance options. We can guide you through the process.
Is it too late to get help at 6 months or later? Never. Many patients seek pelvic floor therapy after childbirth a year or more postpartum and still see excellent results. Your body can heal at any stage.
I had a C-section. Do I still need pelvic floor therapy? Yes. Pregnancy itself stresses the pelvic floor, not just vaginal delivery. A C-section also impacts your core and creates scar tissue that may need attention.
What if I am planning another baby soon? Getting your pelvic floor strong now can help prevent worsening symptoms with future pregnancies. It is an investment in your long-term health.
Will I have to do an internal exam? Only if you are comfortable. Our therapists always explain what to expect and get your consent first. Many assessments can be done externally.
Key Takeaways
- Urinary leaking at 6 months postpartum affects 25 to 31% of women. It is common but highly treatable.
- Symptoms rarely resolve on their own after 6 months. In fact, prevalence often rises as activity increases.
- Pelvic floor physical therapy is the recommended first-line treatment for postpartum incontinence according to clinical guidelines.
- Typical treatment is 8 to 12 sessions over 3 to 4 months, with noticeable improvement often occurring in the early weeks.
- It is never too early or too late to seek help. Evaluation and treatment are effective at any postpartum stage.
- Not all leaking is caused by “weak” muscles. Proper assessment identifies the real problem so you get the right treatment.
Take the Next Step
If you are six months postpartum (or longer) and still dealing with leaking, heaviness, or discomfort, you do not have to accept it as your new normal. Our pelvic health specialists in Noblesville help women restore strength, confidence, and function at every postpartum stage.
Contact Restorative Health & Wellness today to schedule an in-person evaluation or virtual consultation anywhere in central Indiana.
