Needing to urinate (pass water, or pee) often may start in early pregnancy. Sometimes it continues right through pregnancy. In later pregnancy it is the result of the baby’s head pressing on your bladder.
How to reduce the need to pass urine
If you find that you need to get up in the night to pee, try cutting out drinks in the late evening. But make sure you drink plenty of non-alcoholic, caffeine-free drinks during the day.
Later in pregnancy, some women find it helps to rock backwards and forwards while they are on the toilet. This lessens the pressure of the womb on the bladder so that you can empty it properly. Then you may not need to pass water again quite so soon.
When to get help
If you have any pain while passing water or you pass any blood in your urine, you may have a urine infection, which will need treatment. Drink plenty of water to dilute your urine and reduce pain. You should contact your GP within 24 hours of first noticing these symptoms.
Sometimes pregnant women cannot prevent a sudden spurt of urine or a small leak when they cough, sneeze or laugh, or when moving suddenly or just getting up from a sitting position. This is known as incontinence, and may be temporary because the pelvic floor muscles relax slightly to prepare for the baby’s delivery.
The growing baby will increase pressure on the bladder. If you find this a problem, you can start exercises to tone up your pelvic floor muscles. Ask a midwife or obstetric physiotherapist for advice. The Bladder and Bowel Foundation has a factsheet to help you with pelvic floor exercises (PDF, 663kb).
Find out more about treating urine infections. Don't take any medicines without asking your midwife, doctor or pharmacist whether they are safe in pregnancy.
