Frequent urination during pregnancy

During pregnancy, women often feel the urge to urinate. How can you reduce the discomfort of frequent urination?

Why do pregnant women often have to pee?

During the first trimester, the frequent urge to urinate is caused by pregnancy hormones such as human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and progesterone. Because of hCG, a pregnant woman’s blood flow increases. The kidneys must then process a greater quantity of fluid, which leads to a frequent urge to urinate.

Progesterone reduces the ability to retain urine, as it relaxes the muscles of the bladder and pelvic floor. That hormone can also contribute to urinary incontinence.

During the second trimester, the bladder moves higher in the abdomen. Pregnant women then feel the need to urinate less often. However, the bladder’s displacement prevents it from emptying completely. Urine then accumulates and stagnates, which can lead to urinary tract infections.

During the third trimester, pregnant women often feel the urge to urinate because their bladders are compressed by the growing uterus and the baby descending into their pelvis.

Tips for reducing the discomfort of frequent urination

• Urinate as soon as you feel the need.
• Drink more fluids during the day than in the evening to avoid having too many trips to the bathroom at night.
• Limit your caffeine intake. Common sources include coffee, tea, chocolate, and soft drinks. Caffeine is also found in many energy drinks, which should be avoided during pregnancy.
• Do pelvic floor muscle strengthening (Kegel exercises) every day.
• Lean forward when sitting on the toilet to urinate. That position will help you empty your bladder completely.
• Sleep on your left side to relieve pressure on your bladder.

Recognizing the signs of a urinary tract infection

A frequent urge to urinate during pregnancy is normal and does not necessarily signal a urinary tract infection. However, consult your health care provider if you have any of the following symptoms:

• Difficulty starting to pee
• A burning sensation when you urinate
• Peeing a few drops instead of a stream
• An urge to pass urine right after peeing
• Pain in your lower stomach or back, especially after urinating
• Blood in your urine or dark, cloudy urine
• Urine with a strong odour
• Fever or chills

To find out how this infection is treated during pregnancy, read our fact sheet Pregnancy: Urinary Tract Infection.

Things to keep in mind

• It’s normal for pregnant women to feel the urge to urinate often during pregnancy.
• The frequent urge to urinate is caused by pregnancy hormones, compression of the bladder, and the baby’s descent into the pelvis.
• In some cases, frequent urination may be a sign of a urinary tract infection, but other symptoms are usually also present.

Scientific review: Anouk Landry, nursing staff manager for the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, CHU Sainte-Justine Research and copywriting:The Naître et grandir team Updated: April 2026

Photo: GettyImages/Kosamtu