Frequent Urination During Pregnancy - Causes, Coping Methods, When To See A Doctor

Pregnancy is a wonderful journey of 9 long months, but most of which is spent in the bathroom. Do you feel the urge to urinate frequently when pregnant? If yes then you’re not alone as most women experience this when pregnant. Frequent urination is one of the most common early signs of pregnancy, beginning around 6 weeks into your first trimester. Despite being a sign of pregnancy, it will not cause any harm to the mother or the foetus, as long as there are no other symptoms to accompany.

Causes Of Frequent Urination During Pregnancy

1. Hormonal changes:

   HCG hormone, which is active during pregnancy is the major cause of excessive urination since it increases the blood flow towards the pelvic region and kidneys. It is also because the body tries to get rid of the waste as it expels waste for two

2. Pressure on the bladder:

   Your bladder has the capacity to hold up to a pint of urine when not pregnant. But during the first trimester, the uterus expands and begins to move the bladder, thus, compressing it. A narrowed bladder cannot hold more urine, which is why it tries to empty quickly

3. Excess fluid:

   The level of blood increases during pregnancy, building up excess fluid that gets processed in the kidneys, causing frequent urination

4. Urinary Tract Infection:

   Frequent urination is also a sign of UTI or bladder infection, which can get worse if left untreated

Urination In Every Trimester

1. First trimester:

   Frequent urination occurs mostly due to hormonal changes and expansion of the uterus, which exerts pressure on the bladder

2. Second trimester:

   You will experience some relief during the second trimester as the uterus rises higher in the abdomen, thus, putting less pressure on the bladder

3. Third trimester:

   Frequent urination becomes high during this time as the baby drops down to the pelvic region. This causes the uterus to put more pressure on the bladder, increasing the chances of urination even more.

How to handle it

Frequently answering nature’s call can be a task to do, and also embarrassing most of the time. There are various coping methods for frequent urination during pregnancy that one can follow in order to seek some relief. If you are wondering how to handle frequent urination during pregnancy then follow the below-mentioned tips-

1. Leaning forward while urinating will help you empty the bladder effectively. This technique will ensure your bladder is emptied properly, thus, leading to fewer bathroom visits
2. Avoid sipping on beverages like tea or coffee frequently
3. Do not have excess fluids before bedtime. You can however have enough water during the daytime to remain hydrated
4. Kegel exercise is the best way to seek control over the urethra. This exercise can be performed anywhere and anytime
5. Before you hop onto your bed, try to empty the bladder completely. You can do this even before stepping out of your house
6. Activities like coughing, sneezing, or lifting some weight might cause some leakage, which can be prevented by wearing a sanitary pad, which will also save you from embarrassment

When to see a doctor

These above-mentioned techniques will answer your question on how to stop frequent urination during pregnancy but you still need to seek medical intervention. Inform your doctor about your daily routine, so that a better diagnosis can be achieved. If you suffer from pain, burning sensation, or see blood in urine, do not hesitate to consult your doctor, who will then provide you with the right treatment for frequent urination. Your diagnostic tests may include-

• Ultrasound-

  Identifies any abnormalities in the kidneys, bladder, and urethra

• Urinalysis-

  Checks the urine for infectious bacteria

• Bladder stress test-

  Measures the urine that may leak when you cough or sneeze

• Cystoscopy -

  Examines bladder and urethra for checking abnormalities

Even after the delivery, the urge for frequent urination will continue for a couple of days as the body tries to eliminate the excess fluids, that it acquired during pregnancy. Once the fluids exit your body, you will return to your normal urination schedule. But if the problem persists for a longer time, you need to visit your doctor immediately.

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