Can't take the (bladder) pressure? If you're having trouble controlling your bladder during pregnancy, here's how to plug up that embarrassing little leak and handle your peeing problem.
WHAT CAUSES POOR BLADDER CONTROL DURING PREGNANCY?
Your need to pee has probably turned into urinary incontinence, or the leaking of urine that is very common during pregnancy (especially when you sneeze, cough, laugh, or strain).
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT YOUR BLADDER DURING PREGNANCY:
You can't be happy with your bladder — involuntary peeing during pregnancy can be annoying, messy, and occasionally embarrassing, but it's normal and (mostly) temporary. Always make sure that you are, in fact, leaking urine. A quick smell test should confirm it; urine smells of ammonia. If the liquid is clear and odorless, there's a slim chance you might be leaking amniotic fluid. Call your practitioner immediately. If you're sure it's urine, mention your urinary incontinence issues to your practitioner at your next visit and see what he or she recommends.
WHAT TO DO ABOUT PROBLEMS PEEING DURING PREGNANCY:
Do your Kegels! Try to work up to three sets of 30 Kegel exercises a day.
Keep your weight gain moderate, since extra pounds put extra pressure on your bladder during pregnancy.
Train your bladder to behave. Urinate every 30 minutes — before you have the urge, in other words — and then try to extend the time between pees each day.
Try to avoid constipation during pregnancy, so that your full bowels don't put added pressure on your bladder.
Keep drinking at least eight glasses of fluids every day. (Cutting back on water to control the peeing only makes you vulnerable to dehydration and urinary tract infections.)
Avoid coffee, citrus, tomatoes, soft drinks, and alcohol — all of which can irritate your bladder and make it harder to control those leaks.
Pads can help absorb leaking urine (no tampons, please — they don't block the flow of urine and they're off-limits during pregnancy anyway).
As a last line of defense, do Kegels or cross your legs when you feel the need to cough or sneeze, or when you're about to laugh or lift something heavy.
