Although there are obvious outward
signs that the body is changing during
pregnancy, changes to pelvic floor muscles
and nerves are less obvious. As the baby
grows, its weight and the pregnant uterus
produce anatomical changes to the bladder
and urethra.
Studies using ultrasound
have shown that the angle between the
bladder neck and the urethra increases,
producing a larger opening of the bladder
neck. There is also increased mobility of
the bladder due to hormonal changes in
pregnancy, which can also affect the pelvic
floor complex (Herbert, 2009).
Lal et al
(2003) supported this, suggesting changes
to the properties of collagen and connective
tissues during pregnancy mean incontinence
can occur as a result of pregnancy
alone, regardless of delivery