This month is Urology Awareness Month, which aims to raise awareness of urological diseases. The theme for this year’s campaign is ‘Bladder Leakage: Time to Act’ which has been chosen to raise awareness of bladder leakage, which affects 1 in 3 women in the UK but for many different underlying reasons.
Find out more about this year’s campaign:
The Urology Foundation: Urology Awareness Month 2025
What is bladder leakage?
Bladder leakage, also known as urinary incontinence, is a very common condition. It involves the unintentional loss of urine and can range from occasional leaks to more frequent and severe episodes.
For women, there are certain life events which can cause bladder leakage. The hormone changes which happen during the menopause can affect the tissues of the balder and urethra, reducing muscle tone and leading to incontinence. Equally, aging in general means the bladder and urethra lose strength and elasticity making incontinence more likely.
Childbirth is one of the most significant risk factors for bladder leakage in women. Vaginal births especially can lead to pelvic floor muscle damage and pudendal nerve damage which are both associated with urinary incontinence.
Urinary retention following childbirth
Whilst some bladder leakage after childbirth is common – especially in the first few months after birth – it is not always unavoidable.
When a woman is unable to completely empty her bladder after birth, also known as postnatal urinary retention, the bladder can become overstretched and lose its ability to contract effectively. This can, if not managed appropriately, result in lasting damage to the bladder muscles and nerves, increasing the risk of chronic urinary incontinence.
When urinary retention is mismanaged following childbirth
Negligence in recognising and managing urinary retention after childbirth can lead to serious and often preventable complications.
In the immediate period following birth, many women may have reduced bladder sensation due to anaesthesia, perineal trauma, or exhaustion, making it difficult to feel the need to urinate. If healthcare providers fail to monitor urine output, bladder distension, or signs of discomfort, a full bladder can go unnoticed.
Prolonged overdistension can permanently damage the muscle which controls bladder contractions and can lead to chronic urinary issues, including overflow incontinence or recurrent infections. Inadequate assessment, such as not performing timely bladder scans or delaying catheterisation, can turn a temporary, treatable condition into a long-term quality-of-life issue. Vigilant post-delivery care, clear communication, and proactive bladder management protocols are essential to prevent these avoidable outcomes.
Have you experienced negligence in the management of urinary retention?
If you or a loved one has experienced a failure to identify or manage urinary retention following childbirth, or have suffered a bladder injury caused by medical negligence, please get in touch. We can help you raise a complaint about your care and, where possible, investigate a medical negligence claim on your behalf.
Please get in touch with one of our understanding medical negligence specialists on 0800 987 8800 or make a free online enquiry here and we will contact you. Alternatively, email us at medneg@bmcf.co.uk.
Medical Negligence Specialists – Bridge McFarland LLP
medicalnegligence.co.uk is owned and operated by Bridge McFarland LLP, an established and nationally recognised law firm renowned for specialist expertise and experience in this complex area of law. With our determination and commitment to providing our clients with an exceptional standard of service, we have held the highly regarded Lexcel quality mark since June 2008.