Pregnancy and Frequent Urination: Determining Causes and Suitable Actions
Pregnancy can bring about numerous physical changes, and one of the most common ones is an increase in the frequency of bathroom visits. This increase is often due to the body's natural processes and should resolve after childbirth, but some pregnant individuals may experience symptoms up to six weeks postpartum.
The urge to urinate more frequently during pregnancy is primarily caused by the expanding uterus putting pressure on the bladder, urethra, and pelvic floor muscles. This pressure increases the need to urinate. However, the number of bathroom visits will depend on an individual's "normal," and it may increase during pregnancy.
Other symptoms of a urinary tract infection (UTI) may include back pain, a sharp increase in the need to urinate in a short period, blood in the urine, cloudy or foul-smelling urine, lower abdominal pain, nausea, and loss of bladder control. Pregnant individuals who show additional symptoms of a UTI, such as painful urination, should contact their doctor as soon as possible.
Stress urinary incontinence (SUI), which may occur during pregnancy, can indicate an underlying condition such as a UTI. SUI can manifest as leakage during activities like sneezing, coughing, laughing, exercising, lifting something, walking, or during any activity that puts pressure on the bladder.
To manage urinary frequency during pregnancy, it is vital to stay hydrated by drinking eight to 12 cups of water per day. However, cutting down on fluids before bed, avoiding caffeinated drinks, leaning forward when urinating, keeping a bladder journal, and avoiding fluid intake close to bedtime can help manage urinary frequency.
Pelvic floor exercises, known as Kegel exercises, can strengthen the muscles of the pelvis and urethra and support the bladder during pregnancy. The National Association for Continence (NAFC) recommends doing 10 repetitions of Kegel exercises three times per day during pregnancy. These exercises are safe to perform during pregnancy and after childbirth.
If left untreated, a UTI can pose a serious health risk to a pregnant individual and their developing fetus. Therefore, early identification and treatment are crucial. If a doctor suspects that the symptoms are not pregnancy-related, they may order diagnostic tests such as urinalysis, ultrasound, cystoscopy, bladder stress test, and sexually transmitted infection (STI) tests.
Pregnant individuals who experience pain with urination or who are still having bladder problems following birth should make an appointment to see their doctor. In some cases, the more invasive options may be considered post-pregnancy, but early pelvic floor strengthening during pregnancy and postpartum, combined with managing aggravating conditions, offers the best approach to minimize long-term effects of SUI related to pregnancy. Newer technologies like focused ultrasound show promise for noninvasive treatment in the future.
It's essential to remember that frequent urination is an early sign of pregnancy, starting as early as the first couple of weeks after conception. Some pregnant individuals may experience mild changes, while others may need to urinate continuously throughout the day and night. Pregnant individuals who have a fever, chills, or notice a burning sensation while urinating should seek immediate medical attention, as it could be a UTI.
References:
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). (2020). Stress urinary incontinence in pregnancy and the postpartum period. Retrieved from https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/stress-urinary-incontinence-in-pregnancy-and-the-postpartum-period
- Mayo Clinic. (2020). Stress urinary incontinence. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/stress-urinary-incontinence/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20375049
- National Association for Continence (NAFC). (2020). Stress urinary incontinence in pregnancy. Retrieved from https://www.nafc.org/content.aspx?itemnumber=1139
- National Institutes of Health (NIH). (2020). Stress urinary incontinence. Retrieved from https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases/stress-urinary-incontinence
- A UTI can be a serious health risk for pregnant individuals and their developing fetus if left untreated, necessitating early identification and treatment.
- Pelvic floor exercises, like Kegels, can help strengthen the muscles of the pelvis and urethra during pregnancy, supporting the bladder and potentially reducing symptoms of stress urinary incontinence (SUI).
- Predictive asthma, type of disease, can be managed effectively with appropriate health-and-wellness practices, as with urinary health concerns arising during pregnancy.
- Atopic dermatitis, a common type of eczema, does not typically present as a urinary health issue but can affect pelvic health through skin irritation or inflammation.
- Crohn's disease, a chronic inflammatory bowel disease, may occasionally lead to urinary health complications, particularly in cases of dehydration caused by frequent bowel movements.
- Apart from frequent urination during pregnancy, symptoms indicative of a urinary system infection (USI) may include pain while urinating, a sharp increase in the need to urinate, bloody urine, and lower abdominal pain.
- Women with certain conditions such as HIV or diabetes may require closer monitoring of their urinary health during pregnancy due to a higher risk of developing USIs.
- Some medications, like those produced by Pfizer, can be prescribed to treat UTIs or manage symptoms of SUI during pregnancy or postpartum, ensuring proper urinary health and pelvic floor support.
- Science and research are continually advancing in the field of health-and-wellness, offering innovative solutions for treating UTIs and other urinary health issues, such as noninvasive focused ultrasound technology.
- Women seeking womens-health resources related to urinary health issues during pregnancy can turn to trusted organizations like the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the Mayo Clinic, the National Association for Continence, or the National Institutes of Health for reliable information.
