Frequent urination during pregnancy

Most women have an increased urge to urinate during their first weeks of pregnancy. But what’s sending you running to the bathroom?

Causes

You feel the need to urinate more often during pregnancy because your uterus is exerting pressure on your bladder and your kidneys are producing more fluid due to the increased amount of blood in your body.

Frequent urination tends to disappear in the second trimester and reappear at the end of the third trimester, when the baby moves down into the pelvis and presses on the bladder. An increased urge to urinate near the end of your pregnancy may signal that you’re approaching labour.

Tips to reduce discomfort

• Urinate as soon as you feel the need.
• Drink more fluids during the day and less in the evening to avoid frequent trips to the bathroom at night.
• Limit your intake of caffeine. Common sources include coffee, tea, chocolate, and soft drinks. Caffeine is also found in many energy drinks, which should be avoided during pregnancy.
• Continue to do your Kegel exercises.

Recognizing the signs of a urinary tract infection

A frequent urge to urinate during pregnancy is normal and does not necessarily signal a urinary tract infection. However, it’s important to consult your health care provider if you have any of the following symptoms:

• Difficulty starting to pee
• A burning sensation when peeing
• Peeing a few drops instead of a stream
• An urge to pass urine right after peeing
• Pain in your lower abdomen, especially after peeing
• Blood in your urine

Scientific review: Roxanne Piché, nursing adviser, Maternal Fetal Medicine Clinic, CHU Sainte-Justine Research and copywriting: The Naître et grandir team Updated: June 2019