Frequent urination is one of the first signs of pregnancy. Another common symptom during and after pregnancy is incontinence or pee leakage.
In roughly 54.3 per cent of cases, pregnant women report unfavourable effects on their quality of life, particularly in the areas of travel and mood. Following delivery, symptoms may last for several weeks and worsen as the baby develops.
Having a baby on the way is such a joyous phase in a woman’s life. But changes in your body, morning sickness, and discomfort over certain foods can make pregnancy uncomfortable.
Add the overwhelming need to relieve your bladder very often, and you might consider your pregnancy as something less joyous after all.
Is Constantly Peeing Normal During Your Third Trimester?
With just a few weeks left until you meet your little bundle of joy, you must be navigating through the many challenges of third trimester. Because the fact is that this is perhaps the most uncomfortable phase of your pregnancy journey- both physically and mentally.
However, if expecting mums were to choose one pain point during their journey, most would point to frequent urination in pregnancy.
Image source: iStock
Sadly, the constant urge to pee comes with the territory of pregnancy. As your baby continues to grow in your womb, your body also gradually changes and expands. In your third trimester, you’ll experience more than usual backaches, swelling, and also frequent urination.
It might be strange at first, but worry not for you are not alone.
An anonymous TAP user raised this concern in the Pregnancy section of the community and wrote,
“Mummies do you guys waking up constantly to pee in your 3rd trimester? It’s so tiring and sleepy during the next day”.
To reassure the troubled author of the post, other mummies left a comment below to let her know that yes, it is completely normal. Here’s what they had to say on the issue:
- Most mummies also experienced frequent urination during pregnancy.
TAP user Mummy X wrote, “Hi yes, need to go toilet almost 3 to 5 times every night during my third trimester…”
Community member Mama H also wrote that she had already felt the constant urge to pee during her first trimester and said, “I woke up at least twice and max 4 times. Now I’m only on 15 weeks. I guess it’s normal.”
- Other mummies assured that while it is inconvenient, the constant need to pee will subside once you give birth.
You won’t have to bear with frequent peeing any longer as TAP user Umi Maisarah wrote, “It will get over soon after you give birth! hang in there mummy.”
To add to the topic, user Filzah Begum Shah added, “Yes, it’s normal as baby is pushing [down] towards [our] bladder.. once u give birth, will be back to normal.”
- Mummies also threw caution to let others know about the little discomfort frequent peeing during pregnancy will bring.
To shed more light on the issue, a TAP community member anonymously commented,
“I used to dread having to wake up at night to pee during my pregnancy but looking back, I guess it’s nature’s way of preparing yourself for the sleepless night feeds when baby arrives. Not to scare you (if you’re a first-time mum) but nothing else is more tiring than the postpartum period!”
TAP member Ann also shared how difficult it is to get up from bed during her third trimester and wrote, “I’m like that tortoise who fell on its back I need help to get out of the bed.”
- Despite the inconvenience, constant urination is normal during the third trimester. Some mummies left comments of encouragement and tips for other expecting mums.
While confirming that this sensation is normal, TAP user Siti Zalinah wrote, “Try to drink more during the day instead.”
“Bear with it, as long as baby keeps growing healthily and steadily all these temporary inconveniences are worth it. Jiayou!!! Stay positive, a happy mama, a healthy baby,” wrote TAP user JT.
The Urge to Pee All the Time When You’re Pregnant
The need to pee is one of the early signs of pregnancy that occurs during the first five to six weeks. Although some women may not experience it, many do make frequent trips to the bathroom during their first trimester.
There are two main reasons for this urge to frequently urinate. According to the pregnancy bible What to Expect When You’re Expecting (WTEWYE), there is an increase in the volume of body fluids during pregnancy as well as an “improved efficiency of the kidneys, which helps rid the body more quickly of waste products.” Another reason is that the growing uterus puts pressure on the bladder.
What Causes Frequent Urination While Pregnant?
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The bladder, which is situated just above your pelvic bones, is supported by your pelvic floor. While the organ relaxes and fills with pee throughout the day, the sphincter keeps it shut until you can use the bathroom. During pregnancy and childbirth, your pelvic floor muscles are put to the test.
Frequent urination while pregnant is caused by:
- Pressure in the lower abdomen and frequent urination during pregnancy. You can leak when you sneeze, laugh, exercise, or cough. These muscular movements put more strain on your bladder, which leads to stress incontinence. Additionally, your bladder feels increased pressure as your baby grows.
- The lining of your bladder and urethra may be affected by changes in hormone levels.
- Medical conditions: Some conditions that may cause incontinence include diabetes, multiple sclerosis, anxiety medications, and past strokes.
- UTIs: Between 30 and 40 per cent of pregnant women who did not properly treat their UTI will have symptoms. Incontinence is one of the signs of a UTI.
Frequent Urination in Pregnancy: How long will this last?
Frequent urination is one of the first indicators of pregnancy and can begin as early as the first few weeks following conception.
However, as the uterus begins to press against the bladder from weeks 10 to 13, the majority of women may begin to experience urgency during this time.
This need to pee all the time happens during the first trimester. Usually continuing to frequent urination in pregnancy third trimester.
Some say that this urge lessens during your second trimester. However, some experts disagree and maintain that you can expect this challenge to stay with you for the whole nine months.
How often does the pressure in the lower abdomen and frequent urination during pregnancy happen?
The average person uses the restroom 6 to 7 times each day, though this number may vary depending on what they drink and how often.
Urinating four to ten times a day can also be regarded as “normal” as long as the person is healthy and comfortable with how frequently they go to the bathroom.
This number will vary based on the individual’s “normal,” for example, if a person typically uses the restroom eight times daily, getting pregnant might increase that to 10.
During the second trimester, the frequency of urination related to pregnancy may reduce, but in the final few weeks of the pregnancy, it usually increases again. Once the baby is born, the urge to use the restroom more frequently than usual should go away.
Is There a Specific Time in the Day This Happens?
You might notice that you make more trips to the bathroom at nighttime. This is because it is during the night that you are most likely to be resting and lying down, and water retained in your legs during the day goes back to your bloodstream and to your bladder.
“Excessive standing increases nighttime urination,” say Murkoff, Eisenberg, and Hathaway in WTWYE.
How Do I Lessen My Trips to the Bathroom?
Image Source: Pexels
Here are some things to think about if you want to cut down your trips to the bathroom:
- Stay hydrated and go when you feel the urge. Do not decrease your intake of fluids, as you and your baby need it. However, limit your evening beverage intake to avoid repeated bathroom trips and nocturnal leaks.
- When you pee, try leaning forward more to fully empty your bladder.
- Cut down on diuretics, such as coffee, tea, and alcoholic drinks. These drinks only make you want to urinate more. Drink more water instead.
- Avoid constipation, which puts additional strain on your pelvic floor, by eating high-fibre meals.
- Maintain a healthy weight since carrying more pounds puts extra pressure on your bladder, especially in the region around your abdomen. Losing weight after giving birth can assist with postpartum incontinence.
- Make sure that your path during your nighttime trips is safe and well-lighted. Making frequent trips to the bathroom, especially at night, can be a drag. But we can’t really do anything much about it except accept it as part of what we have to go through for our little bundle of joy.
- To plan your trip, make a note of the times you encounter the most leaks. This also marks the beginning of bladder retraining. The goal of bladder retraining is to retrain your bladder to hold more urine by increasing the interval between visits.
- You could strengthen your pelvic floor by performing kegel exercises. They offer a safe and dependable form of exercise before, throughout, and after pregnancy. When completing a Kegel, pay close attention to the muscles you use to hold in urine. After ten seconds, let go of the pressure. These exercises should be completed five times daily. It could be advantageous before, during, and after labour to have a relaxed pelvic floor.
How to perform Kegel exercises to relieve frequent urination while pregnant
The muscles that support the bladder and around the pelvis and urethra can benefit from Kegel exercises, often known as pelvic floor exercises. Performing Kegel exercises may help some pregnant women regain control over the urge to pee.
Kegel exercises are risk-free to perform both before and after childbirth. Here’s a quick step-by-step guide on how to do them:
- The buttocks, thighs, and chest all need to be loosened.
- Pulling in and holding the pelvic floor muscles for five to ten seconds is recommended.
- Relax your muscles for 5 to 10 seconds.
- Repeat 10 timees.
The National Association for Continence recommends ten repetitions three times per day (NAFC).
ALSO READ:
Frequent Urination While Pregnant: When to See the Doctor
Frequent urination is a usual pregnancy symptom. It might also be a sign of a more serious issue that calls for medical attention.
Pregnant women who experience additional UTI symptoms, such as painful urination, are recommended to speak with a doctor as soon as possible.
The Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) also raised the importance of a urine test to avoid developing a urinary tract infection during your pregnancy.
At the end of the day, this is not a cause for worry, but more a discomfort. But remember to contact a doctor if you also experience any pain or burning sensation while peeing.
Updates from theAsianparent Philippines.
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