Pregnancy and Urination

The closer you are to your due date the more frequent and greater the urge is to urinate. Urinary frequency is among the most common pregnancy-related complaints, followed closely by leaking or loss of urine with stress (coughing, etc.).

Early in pregnancy your uterus grows and moves forward to a position directly over the bladder. This new position causes the uterus to apply pressure on the bladder, giving you the sensation that your bladder is full. This sensation causes you to urinate more frequently. Your bladder may be nearly empty but due to the pressure from the uterus it still feels full.

Breast Changes in Pregnancy

The urge to urinate will become less frequent as your pregnancy progresses, then, as your due date gets closer the urge will return. Although this consistent urge to urinate is perfectly normal, there are some things you need to watch out for. Contact your doctor if any of these occur, as they may be signs of a urinary tract infection:

• Pain when you urinate
  
  
• Feeling like you must urinate right away
  
  
• Blood in your urine
  
  
• Fever
  
  
• Back pain

Toward the end of your pregnancy the fetus will drop down into the pelvis (an action known as lightening) and rest its head against your bladder. During this time the urge to urinate is even stronger than earlier in your pregnancy. You may also start losing urine as your baby's head bounces on your bladder. Your trips to the bathroom at night will now be very frequent.

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Unfortunately, there is not much you can do to relieve frequent urination. You might try to decrease coffee, tea, and cola (caffeine drinks) which stimulate urination.

If leaking or loss of urine is troubling you, you can always work on your Kegel exercises which strengthen the muscles surrounding the urethra (the tube that carries urine out of the body). This will not rid you completely of leaks, but if done correctly, will help. To do Kegel exercises, simply squeeze the muscles you use to stop peeing. Hold for 10 seconds, then release. Try doing this 10-20 times, about 3 times a day. If you don't notice a difference, you can always wear a light pad or panty liner for protection from urine.

Don’t stop drinking fluids before bed time. It is important to you and your baby that you keep your fluid intake up.

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