Urinary Incontinence After Childbirth Explained with Dr Tzippi Ben-Harim

Urinary Incontinence After Childbirth Explained with Dr Tzippi Ben-Harim

Author: Women's Health Melbourne August 17, 2025 Duration: 23:25

We are joined by Dr. Tzippora Ben-Harim, head of Gynaecology at Women's Health Melbourne, about urinary incontinence after childbirth. Urinary incontinence is common, affecting 1 in 3 to 1 in 4 women postpartum and occurs in two main forms: stress incontinence (leaking with coughing/sneezing) and urge incontinence (not making it to the toilet in time). The condition results from pressure on the pelvic floor during pregnancy, trauma from vaginal delivery, and postpartum oestrogen deficiency, particularly in breastfeeding women.

We discuss all types of treatment: 

  • Conservative management including vaginal oestrogen therapy and pelvic floor physiotherapy satisfies most women's needs
  • Pessaries can provide temporary relief for those requiring additional support
  • Surgical options are typically reserved until family planning is complete due to risk of recurrence
  • Lifestyle modifications include reducing caffeine intake and maintaining proper hydration
  • Preventive measures include prenatal pelvic floor exercises and optimising general health before pregnancy

Find us on Instagram - @knockeduppodcast

Join our community! Follow Women's Health Melbourne on Facebook and Instagram (@womenshealthmelbourne), and follow Dr Raelia Lew on Instagram (@drraelialew).

Have a question about women's health? Is there a specific topic you'd like us to cover? Email podcast@womenshealthmelbourne.com.au. We keep all requests anonymous.

Women's Health Melbourne is a holistic care precinct, for more information about the work we do click here.

This episode is brought to you by Ellechemy - Lubricants and intimate care to meet your needs created by women's health authority and Gynaecologist Dr Raelia Lew

Discount Code for 10% off and free shipping: KNOCKEDUP
Website: ellechemy.com.au/
Instagram: @ellechemy.com.au

Hosts: Dr Raelia Lew and Jordi Morrison
Guest: Dr Tzippi Ben-Harim

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.


Ever found yourself with a question about your body or your journey to parenthood that felt too awkward or complex to ask? That’s exactly the space where Knocked Up: The Podcast About Fertility and Women's Health lives. Hosted by Dr Raelia Lew, a specialist from Women's Health Melbourne, alongside Jordi Morrison, this series digs into the realities of fertility, pregnancy, and overall health without the jargon or judgement. Each episode feels like a candid chat with knowledgeable friends who aren’t afraid to tackle the tough topics, translating complicated medical concepts into conversations you can actually follow and use. It’s more than just a fertility podcast; it’s a resource for anyone curious about how their body works, from preconception through to postpartum and general wellbeing. The tone is straightforward, empathetic, and grounded in real experience, making often overwhelming subjects feel manageable. You’ll come away with clearer insights, practical knowledge, and perhaps a bit of reassurance for your own path. For regular updates, the team can be found on social media, but the heart of it all is in these frank and essential discussions. Tune in for a genuinely accessible take on women’s health, where no question is off the table.
Author: Language: en-au Episodes: 100

Knocked Up: The Podcast About Fertility and Women's Health
Podcast Episodes
Using Frozen Eggs [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:19
You made the clever decision to freeze your eggs some time ago, and now you want to use them, so what happens? Dr Raelia talks us through the steps to success to conceive using frozen eggs Find us on Instagram - @knocked…
Freezing Eggs with Olivia Molly Rogers [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:25
Olivia Molly Rogers shares her egg freezing experience. We answer some of your questions about egg freezing as well as asking Olivia: - How did you decide to go through with freezing your eggs- What did you know before y…
IVF: Science and Emotions [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:41
IVF can be an emotional rollercoaster, in this episode we breakdown the science and explore the potential outcomes to help us be better prepared when starting the ART journey. Find us on Instagram - @knockeduppodcast Joi…
Cancelled Cycles and IVF [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:29
Find us on Instagram - @knockeduppodcast Join our community! Follow Women's Health Melbourne on Facebook and Instagram (@womenshealthmelbourne), and follow Dr Raelia Lew on Instagram (@drraelialew). Have a question about…
Changes to the Cervical Screening Test (aka pap smear) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:34
Resources: and so much more at https://www.womenshealthmelbourne.com.au/blog Find us on Instagram - @knockeduppodcast Join our community! Follow Women's Health Melbourne on Facebook and Instagram (@womenshealthmelbourne)…
Should I Freeze My Eggs? And What Are The Alternatives? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:34
So should I freeze my eggs or shouldn’t I? This is a very personal question. What will having frozen eggs mean to you? How likely are you to use your eggs later? Could having a baby now be an option you would ever consid…
We answer your questions [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:14
We answer your questions, including: Can I get botox whilst pregnant? Why are my ovulation tests always negative Timing/spacing between babies – I'm 38, have low AMH. Fertility whilst breastfeeding IVF and breastfeeding…
'Sperm counts are falling faster than ever'? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:47
Is what we read in the SMH/The Age true? Read the article here If sperm count is falling, why is this? Are there workarounds? Can sperm be improved? Other helpful resources: What Can Be Done to Prevent Male Infertility?H…