Is your bladder feeling the pressures of pregnancy? Are you unsure what’s causing the pain and worried it might be serious?
I’ve had countless women in my practice ask me questions about bladder pain during pregnancy. As it’s such a common issue, we’ve decided to dive into the causes and offer some remedies for bladder pain.
We’ll discuss everything related to the bladder and pregnancy and do our best to help you find some relief from any pain or discomfort you may be dealing with.
Key Takeaways
- Bladder pain during pregnancy can be due to increased urine production, urinary tract infection (UTI), or urinary stasis.
- To minimize urine production, avoid diuretic beverages and drink 8-10 glasses of water daily; fully empty your bladder and don’t hold it in.
- UTI symptoms include burning or pain during urination, urgency, traces of mucus or blood in urine, cramps, and fever; treatment involves antibiotics.
- Urinary stasis occurs when the bladder cannot empty completely, often due to a blockage; symptoms include painful urination, abdominal pain, and bloating; treatment involves antibacterial drugs.
Bladder Changes During Pregnancy
The bladder is probably one of the most vulnerable organs during pregnancy. Over the nine months of gestation, it goes through many changes.
Your kidneys suddenly expand due to hormones, causing an overproduction of urine that the bladder must get rid of. Additionally, your baby will continue to grow, putting further pressure on the already stretched organ.
Let’s take a closer look at how these changes occur throughout pregnancy:
1. First Trimester
I don’t know about you, but my bladder was acting up even before the positive test. I had to pee like crazy! This was the first indication that led me to buy a pregnancy test, and I know I’m not alone here.
Frequent urination is often one of the first hints of pregnancy. From the moment of fertilization, a wave of hormones floods the kidneys, increasing urine production (1).
But your uterus also begins to expand, even though your baby is still only the size of a speck. This extra pressure from the uterus on your bladder makes you visit the bathroom more often.
2. Second Trimester
Typically, when we reach the second trimester, everything tends to slow down. Our bellies are still growing, and the baby is still developing. But it gets less intense. Morning sickness will likely subside, and you may finally be able to eat without feeling nauseous.
The same goes for your bladder and urine production. During these few weeks, they’re given a well-earned break before the last, and probably most demanding, trimester.
3. Third Trimester
When we reach the third trimester of pregnancy, the discomfort from the first few months greets us again. The frequent urge to go will come calling again.
Additionally, the baby is now much larger, putting even more pressure on the pelvis and bladder. Unfortunately, for some women, this gets worse during the night when they’re lying down.
Fluid is essential, and you should increase your intake during pregnancy. While waking up frequently to relieve yourself may be good practice for when the baby arrives, you need your rest. This is why medical providers recommend reducing your intake of fluids a couple of hours before bed.
Possible Causes of Bladder Pain
Some expectant moms may feel actual pain in the bladder, not just pressure. This discomfort is due to more than your baby using it as a pillow. A few things can cause pain in the bladder during pregnancy.
1. Increased Urine Production
This might be the most straightforward reason you feel pressure on your bladder. For some women, however, this causes pain rather than just pressure.
During pregnancy, our body begins to increase the production of hormones. These hormones increase the volume and speed of blood streaming through your body.
Toward the end of the pregnancy, your body is circulating up to 50% more blood than before you were pregnant.
Your kidneys have to process the extra fluid from this blood flow, which results in your bladder filling up more quickly, causing a frequent need to urinate (2).
This generally becomes an issue during the last few months, when the uterus takes up so much space. Before pregnancy, your uterus was the size of an orange. During the nine months of gestation, it grows to be the size of a watermelon!
Imagine the pressure that this, plus a rapidly growing fetus, is putting on your bladder.
How to Minimize Urine Production
Having constant pressure on your bladder can be very irritating and painful, especially when it’s full more often. Luckily, there are ways you can minimize this.
Avoid certain beverages such as coffee, soda, and juice. You can have them once in a while if you must (we all get cravings), but keep them to a minimum. These drinks are diuretics and will increase urine production (3).
However, never reduce your intake of water. Pregnancy makes us susceptible to dehydration, which can cause an array of issues for you and your baby. Be sure you drink eight to 10 glasses of water each day.
Make sure you fully empty your bladder by leaning forward when you pee. Push it all out, mama! And lastly, don’t hold it — when you gotta go, you gotta go.
2. Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
This is also a common cause of bladder pain during pregnancy. A UTI is the result of a bacterial inflammation in the urinary tract (4).
A UTI can occur anytime; however, it’s most common between the 6th and 24th weeks of pregnancy. It generally happens because the growing uterus is putting pressure on the bladder. This causes a blockage of the urine from the bladder to the urinary tract, trapping the urine and causing an infection.
Generally, a UTI occurs during pregnancy due to an otherwise benign bacteria called Escherichia coli. However, sometimes the infection can have a more notorious culprit, namely a bacterium called Group B strep (GBS) or a condition called pyelonephritis.
GBS causes a more severe form of a UTI. Those affected require oral and intravenous antibiotics during pregnancy and labor. If left untreated, it could make you and your baby severely ill (5).
Pyelonephritis is an acute kidney inflammation caused by a UTI. This condition also requires intensive treatment. Without treatment, it could lead to sepsis or kidney failure.
If doctors suspect the possibility of acquiring a UTI during pregnancy, they’ll usually order some tests to determine which treatment is necessary.
Signs of a UTI
- Burning or pain while urinating.
- Increased need to urinate and a sense of urgency.
- Traces of mucus or blood in the urine.
- Cramps or pain below the belly button.
- Fever symptoms — including chills and sweats.
If you leave the UTI untreated, it could lead to a kidney infection. This will cause back pain, chills, nausea, and fever.
An untreated kidney infection can eventually cause early labor or low birth weight in your baby — it could even be life-threatening for you and your baby.
UTI Treatment During Pregnancy
Health care providers generally treat UTIs with a course of antibiotics. If a bacterium caused your infection, treatment usually works quickly. Your health care provider will likely prescribe a three- to seven-day course of antibiotics.
The medicine provided is safe for you and your baby if you take it as prescribed. Finish the course and consult your doctor if symptoms don’t subside within three to four days.
Contact your physician immediately if you begin to experience fever, chills, sweats, and nausea.
Urinary Stasis
Urinary stasis is a common condition occurring during pregnancy. This ailment hinders the bladder from emptying completely, generally due to a blockage of some kind.
Pregnant women are especially prone to this condition because the growing uterus blocks the natural urine flow.
To check for this condition, your doctor may take a urine culture. This will probably become a part of your regular checkups since urinary stasis is also known to cause UTIs and vice versa (6).
Symptoms of Urinary Stasis
- Inability to urinate.
- Feeling an urgent but painful need to urinate.
- Pain in the lower abdomen.
- Bloating in the lower belly (this may not be noticeable later in pregnancy).
- Increased contractions or cramping (second or third trimester).
Doctors usually diagnose urinary stasis with a physical examination and a postvoid residual measurement (PVR). This is where your physician will see how much urine is still in your bladder after you attempt to urinate. Doctors generally do this by performing an ultrasound scan (7).
Treatment for Urinary Stasis
Doctors usually treat it with antibacterial drugs such as cephalexin, nitrofurantoin, or trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole. Early intervention and treatment are required. If left without treatment, it could cause bladder or kidney damage.
Other Ways to Ease Bladder Pain
You’ll need prescription medication if a UTI or urinary stasis is causing your bladder pain.
But your discomfort could be just another uncomfortable symptom of pregnancy. You may be happy to hear that there is a beneficial tool you can use — a maternity support belt.
This is an excellent tool to support your growing belly. It will take some pressure off your bladder by elevating your bump. It was something magical I discovered in my second pregnancy, and I’m so glad I did.
FAQs
When Does Bladder Pain Start in Pregnancy?
Bladder pain can start at any time during pregnancy, but it’s more common in the second and third trimesters as the growing uterus puts more pressure on the bladder. Regular bathroom breaks and staying hydrated can help alleviate discomfort.
How Long Does Bladder Pain Last During Pregnancy?
Bladder pain may persist throughout pregnancy, especially as the baby grows. However, its intensity can vary. Pelvic floor exercises and proper posture can help manage the pain.
Can You Have Bladder Pain Without a UTI While Pregnant?
Yes, bladder pain during pregnancy isn’t always due to a urinary tract infection (UTI). It might be the expanding uterus, hormonal changes, or increased bladder sensitivity. Always consult with a healthcare provider to rule out a UTI and discuss pain relief options.
What Position Relieves Bladder Pressure?
Lying on your side, especially the left side, can help relieve bladder pressure. This position improves kidney function and reduces swelling, which can alleviate bladder discomfort.
Does Drinking Water Help Bladder Pressure?
Staying well-hydrated can actually help reduce bladder discomfort. It seems counterintuitive, but a full, healthy flow can prevent bladder irritation and reduce the risk of UTIs, which can cause more pain.
In Conclusion
Bladder health is vital, and bacteria will run wild if left unchecked. Wear loose-fitting clothing and cotton underwear, and avoid scented soaps or douches. Urinate after sexual intercourse, and change out of wet clothing, such as swimsuits or exercise gear, as soon as possible.
Editor's Note:
Caitlin Goodwin, MSN, RN, CNMIt’s normal to feel some pressure or pain in or near the bladder at some point during pregnancy. For some women, it’s merely due to a growing uterus and will subside without needing further treatment.
However, it sometimes occurs due to a urinary infection (UTI) or urinary stasis. These conditions require treatment with a course of antibiotics or antibacterial drugs.
Medication is necessary since one infection can lead to another and eventually cause serious complications.
