Needing to pee more often in pregnancy: why it happens and when to check

Needing to pee more than usual often starts early in pregnancy. Here’s why it happens, what helps, and when it could be an infection that needs your GP.

Why it happens

Early pregnancy. The NHS says needing to pee a lot often starts in early pregnancy and sometimes carries on until the baby is born. Tommy’s, the pregnancy charity, says this is because your womb is growing and pressing on your bladder, and the hormone progesterone also makes you need to pee more. NHS 111 Wales says you may need to go more often during the night too.

Later pregnancy. The NHS says that later in pregnancy, it’s caused by your baby’s head pressing on your bladder.

What can help

If you’re getting up in the night to pee, the NHS suggests cutting out drinks in the late evening.
Keep drinking plenty during the day. The NHS says to have plenty of non-alcoholic, caffeine-free drinks so you stay hydrated.
Later in pregnancy, try rocking backwards and forwards while you’re on the toilet. The NHS says this lessens the pressure of your womb on your bladder, so you can empty it properly.

See caffeine in pregnancy and trouble sleeping in pregnancy.

Leaking wee

The NHS says leaking pee (urinary incontinence) is a common problem during and after pregnancy. You might leak a little when you cough, laugh, sneeze, move suddenly or just get up from sitting. The NHS says this may be temporary, because the pelvic floor muscles around your bladder relax slightly to prepare for the birth.

Tommy’s says your pelvic floor muscles support your womb, bowel and bladder. If they become weak, you can leak when you cough or sneeze, and exercising them helps prevent this. You can start pelvic floor exercises before, during and after pregnancy.

If you’re not sure whether you’re leaking pee or fluid from around your baby, see how to tell if your waters have broken.

How to do pelvic floor exercises

Tommy’s suggests:

Find the muscles. Imagine you’re stopping yourself passing wind, and at the same time squeeze and lift the muscles around your vagina.
Long squeezes. Hold for up to 10 seconds, then relax completely for about 5 seconds and breathe normally. Repeat up to 10 times.
Short squeezes. Squeeze and hold for 1 second, then relax. Repeat up to 10 times.

Try to do both long and short squeezes every day. Tommy’s says fully relaxing the muscles between squeezes is just as important as squeezing them.

If you’re still leaking, the NHS says to talk to your midwife, doctor or health visitor. Tommy’s says they may refer you to a physiotherapist. See pelvic floor and tummy muscles after birth.

When it could be a urine infection

Needing to pee more often can also be a sign of a urine infection (UTI). Tommy’s says pregnancy can raise the risk of bacteria getting into your bladder. Signs include:

pain or a burning feeling when you pee
needing to pee more urgently or more often than usual, especially at night
pee that looks cloudy, is dark or has a strong smell

Contact your GP within 24 hours if it hurts when you pee or you pass any blood in your pee. The NHS says you may have a urine infection that needs treatment. The NHS UTI page says that if you’re pregnant and have symptoms, ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111. Tommy’s says it’s important to get tested between midwife appointments, and that UTIs can bring on premature labour if they’re left untreated. You can tell your midwife too.

The NHS says to drink plenty of water to dilute your pee and reduce pain, and not to take any medicines without asking your midwife, doctor or pharmacist whether they’re safe in pregnancy.

Contact your GP urgently or get help from NHS 111 if you have signs of a kidney infection. Tommy’s lists:

a high temperature (above 37.5C), or feeling hot and shivery
a very low temperature (below 36C)
blood in your pee
pain low in your tummy, or in your back just under your ribs

Call 999 or go to A&E if you’re confused, drowsy or having difficulty speaking. The NHS says not to drive yourself to A&E. Ask someone to drive you, or call 999 and ask for an ambulance.

Lowering the risk of a UTI

Tommy’s suggests wiping from front to back when you go to the toilet, peeing soon after sex, drinking plenty of fluids, and not using scented soap or bubble bath.

Questions people ask

Is needing to pee a lot an early sign of pregnancy?

It can be. Tommy’s says you may need to pee more often than usual in early pregnancy, because your womb is growing and the hormone progesterone also plays a part. See 15 early signs of pregnancy.

Should I drink less so I don’t need to go so often?

No. The NHS says to drink plenty of non-alcoholic, caffeine-free drinks during the day. If you’re up in the night, try cutting out drinks in the late evening.

Is it normal to leak when I sneeze?

The NHS says leaking pee is a common problem during and after pregnancy. Pelvic floor exercises can help. If it carries on, talk to your midwife, doctor or health visitor.

Can I treat a UTI myself?

The NHS says that if you’re pregnant, ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111. Don’t take any medicines without checking they’re safe in pregnancy. The NHS also says to speak to your doctor before taking cranberry products or D-mannose during pregnancy.