5 Helpful Ways To Manage Frequent Urination In Pregnancy

Feel like you are spending more time in the bathroom and are in an endless loop to the loo? Well, you are not alone, because frequent urination is a common pregnancy symptom that most women experience throughout their pregnancy journey. In fact, in the later months of pregnancy, you may notice this condition interfering with your sleep, making you wonder, “Is there any way to manage this symptom?” Luckily there is!

Read on to know more about frequent urination in pregnancy, its common causes, and ways to ease your discomfort and keep your bladder healthy. 

When Does Frequent Urination Start During Pregnancy?

Frequent urination is one of the most common signs of pregnancy that starts early, during the first trimester, around week 4, or the time when you have missed your period.

In addition, most women notice an increase in the urge to pee more frequently during the later stages of pregnancy, from week 35 to be precise. Nighttime trips to the bathroom tend to increase during the third trimester as well.

What Causes Frequent Urination During Pregnancy?

During pregnancy, your body produces an excess of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) hormones, which enhances the blood flow to your pelvic area, thus resulting in frequent urination.

A rise in hCG hormones also boosts blood flow to your kidney, which starts to function more efficiently during pregnancy. This causes your body to flush out waste and toxins quickly by peeing frequently.

Your growing uterus is also responsible for your increased bathroom trips, as it puts extra pressure on your bladder, giving it less room to store urine. Additionally, at the end of your third trimester, your baby’s head drops down into your pelvis area and presses squarely on your bladder, thus resulting in the urge to pee more frequently than ever.

What Can You Do About Frequent Urination in Pregnancy?

Since frequent urination is a normal symptom of pregnancy, there aren’t any strategies to completely resolve this concern. But there are some ways you can reduce the frequent urge to pee.

• Drink enough fluids: While it’s tempting to reduce fluid intake to reduce urination, you must remember that hydration is crucial during pregnancy. Since you are losing a lot of fluid through your urine, it is essential to replenish them by keeping yourself hydrated at all times. 
• Drink fluids during the day: It can be frustrating to get up multiple times to pee during the night. To avoid frequent urination at nighttime, you can try meeting your daily fluid intake goals by drinking more water in the morning and afternoon. As nighttime approaches, reduce the amount of water you drink to avoid getting up several times while sleeping.
• Lean forward while peeing: Try leaning your body forward while urinating. This helps empty your bladder completely so that you won’t experience the urge to pee again quickly.
• Stay away from caffeine: Caffeine is a diuretic, which increases your urge to pee to remove fluid from your body. Hence try limiting the intake of caffeinated beverages and opt for more natural modes of hydration, like fresh fruit and vegetable juices and smoothies.
• Avoid constipation: When stool sits in your bowels, it tends to take up more space in your abdomen. This adds more pressure to your bladder and increases the urge to pee. Thus, you must try to avoid constipation during pregnancy by incorporating nutritious and fibre-rich foods into your diet, drinking plenty of water, and exercising regularly to keep your metabolism stimulated.

When Does This Condition Usually Resolve?

As every woman’s body is different, the degree of urinary frequency may vary as well. While some women barely notice this symptom, others are bothered by it throughout their pregnancies. Luckily, this symptom resolves after childbirth when your body starts going back to the pre-pregnancy state.

When to Contact a Doctor?

If you are constantly feeling the urge to go to the bathroom, even after completely emptying your bladder, then you should consider consulting your healthcare provider. Pain while urinating or a change in the colour of your urine are signs of infections, and if you notice them, you should seek medical care immediately.

Conclusion

Frequent urination in pregnancy is a common discomfort that many women experience. It can be exhausting to deal with, especially when you are trying to get some sleep at night. While there is no strategy that helps prevent this condition, you can resort to some relief measures like reducing fluid intake at nighttime and avoiding caffeine to reduce your increased urge to pee. If you notice any changes in your urine colour or have abnormal discharge, contact your doctor immediately.

Also read:

Nosebleeds during pregnancy: Here’s what causes nosebleeds during pregnancy and tips to ease the symptom.

Rib pain during pregnancy: we have listed the best ways to ease rib pain during pregnancy. Take a look. 

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