Bladder Problems

Put simply, bladder problems can successfully ruin anyone's day. Now that you are pregnant, you may find yourself facing a variety of different bladder issues that leave you very uncomfortable. Well, never fear, we are here to help you out.

Your bladder can become extremely irritated due to pelvic congestion from rising progesterone, which is excreted by the embryo. Later in your pregnancy, the baby's head will press against the bladder. These factors 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 (kegels) throughout your pregnancy. Tighten the muscles of your vagina as though you were stopping a flow of urine. Hold for a count of eight. Then repeat in sets of 10 several times throughout the day.
• If you have to go to the toilet a lot during the night, cut out drinking before bedtime. 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.

Visit our Discomfort forum to get advice from other pregnant women on all your pregnancy ailments