Urinary problems during pregnancy

Most women experience an increased urge to urinate during pregnancy. This is a normal body response related to hormone changes that occur during pregnancy and physical pressure on the bladder.

Bladder infections are more common during pregnancy because of increased bacteria in the urine. When a bladder infection develops during pregnancy, you may have discomfort when you urinate or have a strong urge to urinate but pass only a small amount of urine. Bladder infections during pregnancy may increase your risk of kidney infections, miscarriage, and having a premature or low-birth-weight baby.

The inability to urinate (retention) may be caused by infection, pressure on the tubes that carry the urine from the kidneys to the bladder (ureters), the use of medications, or a blockage of the urethra. Sometimes the urethra can become blocked by a blood clot or bladder stone. Call your health professional if you are unable to urinate during your pregnancy.