There are many reasons for frequent urination during pregnancy, one of which is the normal pressure of the uterus on the bladder. In addition to this, there are also some pathological reasons to be aware of.
First, let's understand the non-pathological reasons for frequent urination during pregnancy.
The bladder is located in front of the uterus. When the uterus enlarges during the first three months of pregnancy and comes out of the pelvic cavity, the enlarged uterus can stimulate the bladder in the front, resulting in frequent urination. In the middle stage of pregnancy, as the uterus gradually enlarges in the abdominal cavity, the symptoms of bladder stimulation decrease. After 28 weeks of pregnancy, irregular uterine contractions (uterine hardening) can occur normally, but they generally do not cause symptoms. However, if the contractions stimulate the bladder, frequent urination can occur. If the contractions are frequent and it is not yet full term, medical attention should be sought to prevent premature birth.
In the later stages of pregnancy, around 38 weeks, when the baby's head descends into the pelvis, it can also compress the bladder, causing frequent urination. During the day, when expectant mothers are standing or sitting, the enlarged uterus can compress the large blood vessels in the abdominal cavity, impeding venous return in the lower limbs and reducing renal blood flow, resulting in reduced urine output during the day. When lying in bed at night, the pressure of the uterus on the inferior vena cava is relieved, increasing renal blood flow and leading to increased urine production at night. This is a normal physiological phenomenon in the process of pregnancy, but if accompanied by symptoms of excessive thirst, increased thirst, increased urination, and no weight gain, medical attention should be sought to rule out the possibility of gestational diabetes.
In addition to the above reasons, frequent urination during pregnancy may also be caused by certain diseases. If the following signs of illness occur, pregnant women should seek medical attention in a timely manner.
1. Urinary tract infection
Although it is normal for many expectant mothers to experience frequent urination at the beginning of pregnancy, pathological signs should not be ignored. After becoming pregnant, due to the displacement of the ureters and bladder, urine can accumulate in the urinary tract, making it easy for bacteria to multiply and leading to urinary tract infections. If a pregnant woman experiences pain during urination or unbearable urgency, a urinalysis can be done to check for urinary tract infections and other diseases. Weeks 4 to 12 of pregnancy are a sensitive period for fetal malformation, so medication should be used cautiously under the guidance of a doctor, but not strictly prohibited. Drinking plenty of water, urinating frequently, flushing the bladder and urethra, and using appropriate anti-inflammatory drugs can quickly alleviate symptoms.
2. Cystitis
In addition, frequent urination may also be caused by other factors such as inflammation. When there is inflammation in the bladder, the neural sensory threshold decreases and the urge to urinate is in an excited state, leading to frequent urination unrelated to inflammation. Urinary tract stones or foreign bodies usually manifest primarily as frequent urination. Bladder capacity reduction can occur with bladder occupying lesions, tuberculous bladder contraction, or large bladder stones. Psychogenic urinary frequency, where frequent urination occurs only during the day or before going to sleep at night, is often associated with mental stress or seen in patients with hysteria. If frequent urination is accompanied by urgency and pain, prompt medical attention should be sought.
During the first three months of pregnancy, as the uterus gradually grows in the pelvic cavity, it compresses the bladder, causing pregnant women to constantly feel the need to urinate. In the middle stage of pregnancy, as the uterus rises into the abdominal cavity, the frequency of urination improves. However, in the later stages of pregnancy, frequent urination may reoccur. If frequent urination occurs and each time the amount of urine is not large (excluding urinary tract infection), it is caused by the aforementioned reasons. If frequent urination is accompanied by a large amount of urine, it is important to be aware of the possibility of diabetes and other conditions, and further examination should be done at a hospital. When feeling the need to urinate, pregnant women can go to the bathroom more often, and it is okay to try to avoid holding in urine. If abnormal symptoms such as pain or burning occur during urination, immediate medical attention should be sought.
