Passing Water during Pregnancy

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Your bladder can become extremely irritable due to pelvic congestion from rising progesterone, which is excreted by the embryo. This will lead to a need to urinate more frequently than usual. You will probably have to pass water a few times a day and may have unwanted leakage. Here are a few tips to help you.

You may leak when you sneeze, cough or laugh. To avoid any embarrassment wear a panty liner or a sanitary towel.

Practice pelvic floor muscle exercises throughout your pregnancy. Tighten the muscles of your vagina as though you were stopping a flow of urine. Hold for a count of 8. Then repeat in sets of 10 several times throughout the day.

If you are having to go to the toilet a lot during the night cut out drinking before bed time. But drink a lot during the day.

Try rocking backwards and forwards when you are on the toilet. This lessens the pressure of the womb on the bladder so that you can empty it properly. You won't need to pass water quite as often if you do this.

If you have any pain or blood when passing water you may have a urine infection that will need treatment. Contact your doctor straight away. Drink plenty of water to reduce the irritation.