Leaking when you sneeze, laugh, or try to exercise is not just "part of being a mom." It's a pelvic floor problem — and pelvic floor physical therapy is one of the most effective treatments available. You don't need surgery. You don't need to live like this forever.
These are the experiences Dr. Loretta Barry hears from patients across Sacramento every week. They're common — but they are not permanent.
The default advice — "just do kegels" — misses the point for most postpartum women. Leakage isn't always caused by a weak pelvic floor. It can be caused by poor coordination, excessive tension, faulty pressure management, or a combination. Treating it without understanding the root cause often doesn't work.
Pelvic floor assessment first. Dr. Loretta Barry begins with a thorough evaluation of how your pelvic floor is actually functioning — not just how strong it is, but how well it coordinates with your breathing, core, and daily movement patterns.
Pelvic floor muscle retraining. Targeted exercise that addresses the specific dysfunction driving your leakage — whether that's weakness, overactivity, poor timing, or all three. This is not generic kegel instruction. It's a personalized, progressive program.
Bladder habit retraining. If urgency or frequency is part of your experience, Dr. Loretta Barry also addresses bladder habits and behavioral strategies that reduce urgency and give you back control.
Functional strength and load management. Returning to exercise without leaking requires rebuilding the whole system — not just the pelvic floor in isolation. Dr. Loretta Barry programs your return to running, lifting, and impact activities safely.
Stopping leakage follows a clear, three-phase path. Every program is built around your specific pattern of symptoms.
Reduce tension and dysfunction in the pelvic floor. Build a baseline of proper coordination and pressure management — the foundation everything else sits on.
Improve pelvic floor timing, strength, and endurance for the activities that trigger your leakage. Progressive, functional exercise that matches your real life.
Return to running, jumping, lifting, sneezing, and laughing freely — without pads, without fear, without planning your life around bathroom access.
Three ways to get care — all 1-on-1, all with Dr. Loretta Barry. Choose what fits your life.
Our primary location — 583 F St, Suite 112, Lincoln, CA. A beautiful new building with a private, fully equipped treatment room. Easy access, plenty of parking, no waiting room.
583 F St Suite 112 · Lincoln, CA 95648
Remote 1-on-1 care via video — ideal for education, exercise programming, and follow-up visits. Available to patients anywhere in California.
Dr. Loretta Barry comes to you — anywhere in the Sacramento area. No commute, no childcare logistics, no waiting room. Your space, your schedule, your baby nearby if needed.
Every session is 1-on-1 with Dr. Loretta Barry — no aides, no techs, no handoffs. Learn more about our Lincoln clinic →
"I had been dealing with leaking and incontinence since my last baby — 18 years ago! I'm happy to report that I am back to playing volleyball and better than before, as I now have more core strength and no longer am I focused on 'is the pad gonna save me from leaking?'"
"I was struggling with postpartum bladder incontinence and felt like no one in the medical field was listening. Dr. Loretta Barry helped me overcome bladder leakage and gave me my freedom back."
Is leakage after pregnancy normal?
Leakage is common after pregnancy — but common doesn't mean you have to live with it forever. It's a treatable pelvic floor condition. Most patients see significant improvement within a few sessions of pelvic floor PT.
Will kegels stop my leakage?
Kegels may help some patients, but they're only one tool — and for many postpartum moms, they're not the right starting point. If your pelvic floor is already overactive or tight, kegels can make the problem worse. Dr. Loretta Barry assesses what your pelvic floor is actually doing before prescribing any exercise.
How long does it take to stop leaking with pelvic floor PT?
Most patients notice meaningful improvement within 3–6 sessions. The timeline depends on the type and severity of leakage and how long it's been present. Dr. Loretta Barry will give you a realistic picture during your free discovery call.
Do I need surgery for leakage?
Surgery is rarely the first line of treatment for postpartum leakage. Pelvic floor physical therapy should always come first. Research consistently shows PT is highly effective for stress, urge, and mixed incontinence — without the risks or recovery time of surgical intervention.
What types of leakage does Dr. Loretta Barry treat?
Dr. Loretta Barry treats stress incontinence (leaking with movement), urge incontinence (can't make it in time), and mixed incontinence (both). She also addresses urgency and frequency, even when leaking hasn't occurred yet.
Still leaking months after having your baby? It’s not just weakness — and kegels alone probably aren’t the answer. Dr. Loretta Barry explains what’s actually going on and what to do about it.
A free discovery call is 15 minutes. Dr. Loretta Barry will listen, answer your questions, and tell you exactly how she can help — no pressure, no commitment.
Ditch the Pads — Book a Free Call"Within two visits my leaking issue was fixed and my pelvic floor has thanked me every day!"