Pregnancy pee: everything you need to know (or ever wondered about)
Morning sickness, food aversions and exhaustion – these are just some of the common symptoms that can appear during pregnancy. However, there’s one symptom that you might not have thought about: frequent urination.
Yep. All those hormones that start swirling around your body after implantation can affect your bladder – here’s everything you need to know.
When does frequent urination start during pregnancy?
Frequent urination can be an early sign you are pregnant. That said, it would be unusual for it to appear without any other symptoms. Frequent urination can rear its leaky head in the first trimester. Women tend to get a break in the second trimester (when the uterus rises higher away from the bladder), only for it to drop down again in the third trimester – making the urge to pee more frequent.
Why do I pee more when pregnant?
Once pregnant, the pregnancy hormone hCG increases blood flow to the kidneys, causing the organ to produce more urine. Another cause of needing to urinate more is that your uterus is expanding as baby grows, placing extra pressure on your bladder. The good news is this should ease around 9-13 weeks of pregnancy (for a few weeks anyway).
Can I do anything to stop frequent urination when pregnant?
If the constant peeing is getting too much there’s a couple of things you can try.
When you go to the bathroom, make sure you empty your bladder completely. It can help to lean forward while doing your business. Others say leaning right back against the cistern helps them.
You can also try to cut out drinks like tea and coffee as they contain caffeine, which is a diuretic.
Are you going to the toilet at all hours of the night? You can try drinking all of your fluids earlier in the day and limiting them closer to bedtime. But remember: while the trips to the loo can be annoying, it’s vital to keep your fluids up during pregnancy!
Don’t hold it!
Unfortunately, ignoring the urge to pee isn’t going to help you either. Holding urine can lead to a urinary tract infection (UTI).
As well as needing to pee frequently, signs that you might have a UTI include:
- burning and pain during urination
- bloody urine
- tender lower abdomen
Contact your healthcare provider if you develop any of these symptoms.
If you are worried about how often you are urinating, have a chat with your GP or health care provider.
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