Urination during pregnancy

Frequent urination during pregnancy | Pregnancy Birth and Baby

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What is frequent urination during pregnancy?

Frequent urination is when you need to urinate (wee) more often than usual when pregnant. Needing to go to the toilet more often during your pregnancy is normal and is caused by the hormonal and physical changes occurring in your body. Your bladder (which stores urine), your bowel (which your poo passes through) and your uterus (where your baby grows) are all located in the small space of your abdomen, so changes that occur in one organ are also likely to affect the others.

What causes frequent urination during pregnancy?

You experience frequent urination because when you are pregnant, your body produces more fluids than at other times. Your kidneys, which produce urine, also become more efficient. Your uterus – situated directly behind your bladder – becomes larger to accommodate your growing baby and as a result, it pushes against your bladder.

For some women, weak pelvic floor muscles are another cause of frequent urination during pregnancy. Pelvic floor muscles support the organs of the pelvis, which include the bladder, uterus and bowel.

When am I more likely to experience frequent urination during pregnancy?

Frequent urination is common at every stage of pregnancy. During the first stages, hormonal changes increase the frequency with which you need to use the toilet. Later in pregnancy, it is more likely to be caused by your baby pressing against your bladder, while in the last few weeks of pregnancy, you may struggle to empty your bladder completely.

Towards the end of your pregnancy, it is common to wet yourself a little while coughing, sneezing or lifting things. This happens because these actions place more pressure on your pelvic floor, and for many women, the pelvic floor becomes weakened during pregnancy.

Am I likely to experience frequent urination if I have had it before pregnancy?

If you have had bladder problems before pregnancy, unfortunately these are likely to worsen after the birth. Women can also develop new bladder problems after having a baby.

How can I reduce frequent urination during my pregnancy?

While you cannot do much to lessen your need to urinate frequently, you can strengthen your pelvic floor muscles. Strengthening these muscles can help you ‘hold in’ your urine until you are able to get to the toilet. The best way to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles is through exercise. Exercising the muscles will also provide a sturdy support system for your bowel, uterus and bladder.

Ideally, women should do pelvic floor exercises before becoming pregnant, but it's never too late. Remember to keep up your pelvic floor exercises after your baby is born too.

The Continence Foundation of Australia have produced this video on how to do pelvic floor exercises:

While, in most cases, frequent urination during pregnancy is quite normal and not a concern, in some situations it is best to see a doctor. If you feel a stinging, burning sensation or if you feel any pain when you use the toilet, it is important that you discuss this with your doctor. It might indicate you have an infection that needs to be treated promptly.

Will it continue after I’ve had the baby?

While you may continue to urinate more than usual after your baby is born, you will usually see an improvement in the first 6 months after the birth. This is because pelvic floor nerves, tissues and muscles are beginning to recover from pregnancy and birth. Make sure you keep up your pelvic floor exercises — your midwife can also guide you with what to expect over the first few weeks and months after your baby’s birth.

Where to get help

Call the Continence Foundation of Australia on 1800 33 00 66
Talk to your GP — Click here to find a doctor near you
Check in with your midwife
Call Pregnancy, Birth and Baby on 1800 882 436 to speak to a maternal child health nurse

Sources:

The Royal Women's Hospital (Common concerns in early pregnancy), Better Health Channel (Pregnancy - signs and symptoms), Continence Foundation of Australia (Pregnancy and childbirth), The Royal Women’s Hospital (Pelvic floor exercises)

Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content.

Last reviewed: January 2021

Incontinence during pregnancy
Pelvic floor exercises
Bladder weakness after birth
Bladder and bowel problems during pregnancy

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Causes and what to do

Urinating more frequently than normal is common during pregnancy. As a standalone symptom, it is not a cause for concern, but a pregnant person should consult their doctor if they experience pain while urinating or other symptoms of a urinary tract infection (UTI).

Frequent urination is a common early sign of pregnancy. Urinary frequency initially occurs due to increased levels of the hormones progesterone and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG).

While some pregnant people may experience mild changes, others may feel the need to continuously run to the bathroom throughout the day and night.

Frequency can also reappear later in the pregnancy as the uterus and baby continue to grow, creating pressure on the bladder.

Pregnant people who have a fever or chills, or notice a burning sensation while urinating, should seek immediate medical attention as it could be a urinary tract infection (UTI). Other symptoms may include back pain or a sharp increase in the need to urinate in a small period of time.

In this article, we discuss the causes and symptoms of frequent urination during pregnancy, how to manage and prevent frequent urination, how long it lasts, and outlook.

Although symptoms may vary from person to person, many pregnant people notice they begin to need to urinate more frequently during their first trimester (week 1 to week 12). Some people may also experience leakage or stress urinary incontinence (SUI) while pregnant as the fetus grows and presses down on the bladder, urethra, and pelvic floor muscles.

The Office on Women’s Health notes that leakage may occur when:

sneezing
coughing
laughing
exercising
lifting something
walking

Sometimes urinary frequency symptoms indicate an underlying condition, such as a UTI — an infection of the urinary system.

In addition to urgency, other symptoms of a UTI include:

blood in the urine
cloudy or foul-smelling urine
lower abdominal pain
nausea
pain or burning when urinating
loss of bladder control

Pregnant people are at increased risk for UTIs. According to one study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 8% of pregnant people develop a UTI.

If left untreated, a UTI can pose a serious health risk to a pregnant person and their developing fetus.

Doctors can often diagnose urinary frequency based on a person’s symptoms. In addition to doing a physical examination, they may ask a series of questions about how often the person is going to the restroom and how much they are urinating with each trip.

They may also ask about:

changes in the smell, color, or consistency of the urine
daily fluid consumption
the pattern of frequency (i.e. when it started and what time of day symptoms occur)

If a doctor suspects that the symptoms are not pregnancy-related, they may order one or more diagnostic tests.

Tests may include:

urinalysis
ultrasound
cystoscopy
bladder stress test
sexually transmitted infection (STI) tests

Frequent urination is an early sign of pregnancy and can begin as early as the first couple of weeks following conception.

Most people, however, may begin to experience urgency in weeks 10 to 13, as this is when the uterus begins to push on the bladder.

After an embryo implants in the uterus, the body produces progesterone and hCG, both of which are pregnancy hormones that can lead to urgency.

During pregnancy, the body’s blood supply increases to support the fetus. Approximately 20–25% of a person’s blood filters through the kidneys and leaves the body as waste or urine. The more blood a person’s body produces, the harder their kidneys have to work to flush the extra fluid.

Pressure is another contributing factor. As the uterus expands, it pushes down on the bladder, urethra, and pelvic floor muscles, increasing the urge to urinate.

Pelvic floor exercises, also known as Kegel exercises, can strengthen the muscles of the pelvis and urethra and support the bladder. Performing Kegel exercises during pregnancy may help some people regain control over their urine flow.

Kegel exercises are safe to perform during pregnancy and after childbirth.

To perform Kegel exercises, empty the bladder and then follow these steps:

Relax the abdomen, chest, thighs, and buttocks.
Tighten the pelvic floor muscles and hold for 5 to 10 seconds.
Relax the muscles for 5 to 10 seconds.
Repeat 10 times.

The National Association for Continence (NAFC) recommends doing 10 repetitions three times per day.

Staying hydrated by drinking eight to 12 cups of water per day is vital during pregnancy. However, there are a few things a pregnant person can do to ease the flow, including:

cutting down on fluids before bed
avoiding caffeinated drinks
leaning forward when urinating
keeping a bladder journal or recording bathroom breaks

The average person goes to the bathroom between 6 and 7 times per day, though this number can vary depending on what the person drinks and how often.

Urinating between four and 10 times per day can also be “normal” as long as the person is healthy and comfortable with how often they visit the restroom.

For pregnant people, this number will depend on the individual’s “normal. ” For example, if a person typically uses the restroom eight times per day, becoming pregnant may increase their visits to 10 times per day.

Pregnancy-related urinary frequency may ease up in the second trimester but usually returns in the final weeks of the pregnancy. Once the baby is born, a more frequent than usual urge to go to the bathroom should go away.

Frequent urination is a normal pregnancy symptom. However, it also can be a sign of an underlying condition that may require medical treatment.

Pregnant people who show additional symptoms of a UTI, including painful urination, should contact their doctor as soon as possible.

Frequent urination is a part of being pregnant and should resolve after childbirth.

However, some pregnant people may experience symptoms up to six weeks after giving birth.

Pregnant people who experience pain with urination or who are still having bladder problems following birth should make an appointment to see their doctor.

Many people experience urinary frequency during pregnancy, especially in the first and third trimesters.

Unless the frequency is accompanied by burning or painful urination, or other potential signs of a UTI, there is usually no need for concern.

Urinary frequency generally will subside once the baby is born.

Frequent urination during pregnancy - Juno

Article content

When is considered frequent

Urges are frequent if they occur more than 9 times a day. Usually only a small amount of urine is passed at a time. Pregnant women may have about 20 visits to the toilet per day, while the daily amount of urine can also increase to 2 liters.

Is it an early sign of pregnancy?

HCG slightly increases the volume of urine excreted, so frequent urination begins already in the first weeks of pregnancy. The symptom does not 100% indicate the onset of fertilization - it should be considered in conjunction with other manifestations - primarily with a positive test. nine0008

However, keep in mind that with an increase in the daily volume of urine at a very early date, a false negative result is possible. Also, the symptom is less pronounced in ectopic pregnancy due to lower hCG levels, so an examination is required in any case.

If you began to frequent the toilet and there is a delay, then pregnancy is very likely.

Physiological causes of frequent urination in pregnant women

In healthy women, this phenomenon is associated with the body getting used to carrying a baby, as well as with other physiological reasons. nine0008

In the first half of pregnancy

The main causes of frequent urination during early pregnancy:

Increased progesterone production. This hormone relaxes muscle tissue, helping to maintain pregnancy. As a result, urine is retained worse, the urge to void becomes more frequent due to the reduced tone of the bladder.
Increased blood supply in the pelvis. Due to the proximity of the bladder to the uterus, its increased sensitivity occurs - filling receptors react more strongly. nine0027
Active work of the kidneys. During the bearing of a child, the renal blood flow increases 1.5 times for the constant renewal of amniotic fluid and the timely removal of metabolic products. Accordingly, more urine begins to be produced.

Physiological increase in urination does not cause pain and discomfort, itching and burning. In the presence of negative symptoms, you need to consult a doctor to rule out pathologies.

Second half of pregnancy

The main reason for frequent urge to urinate in the second and third trimester is the increased pressure of the uterus on the bladder. However, diseases can also be the cause:

Infections. Changes in the pelvis in pregnant women and a decrease in protective forces increase the risk of developing urethritis, cystitis, pyelonephritis. Such pathologies are accompanied not only by frequent urination, but also by pain, discomfort in the area of inflammation, and a burning sensation. The woman's health is deteriorating; nine0027
Gestational diabetes. An increase in blood glucose in violation of carbohydrate metabolism. The amount of urine separated increases significantly.

Other pathologies include neoplasms in the small pelvis, endocrine and neurological disorders.

Soreness with frequent urination in pregnant women - is it normal or not?

Painful urination is not normal. Unpleasant sensations indicate the development of a pathological process. Pain and discomfort are a sign of urinary tract irritation. Cystitis is very likely if a woman has severely reduced immunity or has chronic diseases of the pelvic organs. Sometimes it can be accompanied by a temperature and requires a mandatory visit to the doctor. nine0008

Calls at night

Pregnant women often complain about how tired they are at night "hiking". The situation is explained by the fact that the work of the kidneys depends on the position of the body. In the later stages, the female body is prone to fluid retention and edema, especially when in an upright position. When the expectant mother lies down, the renal blood flow and the outflow of fluid from the tissues increase. As a result, the kidneys excrete more urine.

What is the duration of frequent urination during pregnancy? nine0003

The phenomenon begins already from the first days of pregnancy and is especially pronounced up to about 12 weeks. Later, the number of emptyings gradually decreases, because by 4-5 months the body adapts to new conditions. The diaphragm rises, creating more space for the growing uterus and "unloading" the pelvic organs.

Frequent urination during pregnancy in the second trimester may indicate the addition of an infection or the development of inflammation, but it is also possible as a manifestation of the individual characteristics of the body. You can find out more precisely this moment from your doctor, who is involved in pregnancy management. nine0008

In the third trimester, the opposite phenomenon is possible - fluid retention. However, the closer the birth, the more often the urge to urinate becomes. In the last month of gestation, the uterus descends and puts pressure on the organs of the urinary system.

How likely is miscarriage in the absence of frequent urination?

A woman does not always immediately find out about a missed pregnancy. Fetal movements are not felt in the early stages, so pregnant women "listen" to other signs. In the first weeks, the abrupt cessation of toxicosis and frequent urge to urinate are alarming. These symptoms can indeed indicate the death or developmental delay of the fetus, as well as an ectopic pregnancy, but not always. Toward the end of the first trimester, the kidneys excrete less urine, in some this has been observed since 9‒10 weeks.

How to deal with frequent urination during pregnancy: tips

In the absence of pathologies, the discomfort caused by physiological frequent urination can be reduced as follows:

Stay hydrated. Drink enough, but don't overdo it. Give preference to water over sugary drinks like coffee.
Eat rationally. Eliminate diuretic foods (citrus fruits, spicy foods), as well as things that cause constipation. nine0027
Exercise. Strengthen your pelvic muscles by training your vaginal and anus sphincters.
Get more rest. Sleep during the day is very useful, especially in the later stages - after being in a horizontal position, the bladder empties faster, as a result, the load on the kidneys during night rest is reduced.
Maintain immunity. Avoid hypothermia, take vitamin complexes as prescribed by the doctor.
Empty your bladder as much as possible. Do not hold back the urge and try to make sure that all the urine comes out completely. In this regard, it is easier to urinate in the shower. nine0027

Control your condition. If other symptoms (pain, fever, burning sensation) appear in addition to frequent urination, tell your doctor immediately.

1st trimester of pregnancy: what happens to the fetus

1st trimester of pregnancy: what happens to the fetus - Private maternity hospital Ekaterininskaya Clinics

1st trimester: 1st to 12th weeks

The gestational age is calculated from the first day of the last menstruation, since it is difficult to determine the exact day of conception. Since conception usually occurs in the middle of the menstrual cycle, you are not actually pregnant during the first two weeks, but this period is counted as the beginning of pregnancy. nine0008

As soon as the fertilization of the egg takes place around the 3rd week, the hormones begin to produce changes in your body little by little. As a result, you may experience some of the following symptoms:

Morning sickness. As a result of rising levels of hormones characteristic of pregnancy, up to 80% of women in the 1st trimester experience morning sickness with symptoms such as nausea and vomiting. The idea that such malaise occurs only in the morning is a common misconception. In fact, symptoms can appear at any time of the day or night. Up to 1 in 5 women experience morning sickness in the 2nd trimester of pregnancy and can sometimes persist throughout pregnancy. nine0007 If you experience morning sickness, avoid foods that make you sick, eat little and often, avoid fatty and spicy foods, drink more water. If you experience severe symptoms or symptoms that bother you, see your doctor.
Breast changes. The mammary glands will begin to increase in size, soreness may appear. The nipples will increase in size, become darker and more protruding.
Fatigue. High levels of the hormone progesterone can make you feel tired and sleepy. Rest as often as possible in a horizontal position with your legs up and eat as well as possible, which is not easy if you are experiencing morning sickness!
Increased emotionality. A higher level of emotionality, manifested as a result of an increase in hormone levels, is a normal phenomenon. Understanding and patience on the part of your partner and loved ones is very important here. nine0027
Food likes and dislikes. You may find yourself intolerant of one food and addicted to another. This is usually not a problem, unless you feel like eating weird foods like chalk. If you are concerned about the situation, contact your doctor.
Frequent urination. As your body fluid levels increase and your uterus presses on your bladder, you will become more likely to visit the toilet. Go to the toilet as soon as you feel the need - this minimizes the pressure on the bladder. nine0027
Feeling of dizziness. Sometimes you may feel a little dizzy (this is due to hormonal changes). Try not to stay on your feet for a long time and slowly rise from a sitting or lying position. If you experience severe dizziness, contact your doctor immediately.
Heartburn and constipation. Your digestive system will slow down to give you more time to digest your food. This can lead to heartburn and constipation. To help manage heartburn, try to eat small meals at regular intervals and avoid fried or spicy foods and carbonated drinks. Constipation is helped by eating a diet rich in fiber, maintaining physical activity and drinking plenty of water. nine0027

1st trimester milestones

Approximately 7 days after fertilization, the embryo implants in the uterine wall. The placenta, umbilical cord and amniotic sac will begin to form to provide nourishment and protection to the embryo.
By the end of the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, the uterus is palpable through the wall of the abdomen, the abdomen will begin to grow.

Child development in the 1st trimester of pregnancy

By the end of the 1st trimester: