Urinary Leak In Pregnancy: Why It Happens and What to Do

Asian Institute of Nephrology and Urology | March 14, 2025

Urinary leakage, also known as urinary incontinence, is a common condition women experience during pregnancy. It is the involuntary loss of urine when one cannot control the bladder, resulting in an urgent need to urinate and the leaking of urine.

About 40% of pregnant women experience some degree of this condition, which can happen at any stage of the pregnancy. As the pregnancy progresses, the chances of urine leakage during pregnancy in the second trimester and third trimesters become more common. A few techniques can help you manage this condition and improve the ability of your bladder to control urine.

You can read this article to learn more about urinary leakage during pregnancy, why it happens, and what to do.

The Signs and Symptoms of Urinary Leak

Some signs and symptoms that indicate urinary leakage during pregnancy include —

• Dribbling of urine when you cough, sneeze, laugh, and exercise
• An urgent need to pee with an inability to control it
• Frequent visits to the bathroom
• Leaking or dribbling in between trips to and back from the bathroom

Why Does Urinary Leak Happen?

The period of pregnancy brings many changes to your body, which are required for the fetus to grow. However, these bodily changes result in urinary incontinence pregnancy, making it difficult to control urine. This usually lasts until the end of the pregnancy and after childbirth, after which the bladder function returns to normal a few weeks after delivery.

The two main reasons for urine leakage during pregnancy are:

The uterus is behind the bladder, and the growing fetus can put pressure on the bladder during pregnancy. This can have an impact on the capacity of your bladder to hold urine and lead to frequent leakages.

The hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy have an impact on the pelvic floor muscles that support the bladder and uterus. These muscles become weak and loose, which can increase your urge to urinate.

If you are facing symptoms of urinary incontinence during pregnancy, you need to visit your healthcare provider. You can consult with our experienced doctors at the Asian Institute of Nephrology and Urology (AINU) to manage the issue better and improve bladder control. We conduct a few tests to determine the type of condition, help you understand the causes, and offer appropriate treatment to enhance your quality of life.

The Risk Factors for Urinary Leak During Pregnancy

Women are more likely to experience urinary leakage during pregnancy if they fall under any of these categories:

• Above 35 years or older
• Overweight or obese
• Family history of the condition
• Previous vaginal delivery
• Certain foods and drinks

What to Do to Manage Urinary Leak

The condition of bladder incontinence during pregnancy can be managed by following a few techniques. They can help you strengthen the pelvic floor muscles to support your bladder and to manage things better.

Here are a few techniques you can follow to manage urinary leakage during your pregnancy:

Stay Hydrated

It is important to drink around 6 to 8 glasses of water per day for proper hydration. Staying hydrated is crucial for a healthy pregnancy and the normal functioning of your kidneys and bladder. Dehydration can trigger urine incontinence and increase the urge to urinate frequently.

Reduce Fluid Intake After Dinner

While trying to stay hydrated, drink more fluids in the morning and afternoon and reduce water intake after dinner and a few hours before bed. It can reduce the number of times you need to wake up at night to urinate, which helps you get adequate sleep and rest.

Maintain a Healthy Body Weight

A healthy body weight can relieve pressure on your bladder. It can help reduce the chances of or manage urine leakage during pregnancy during the third trimester and the second trimester, when the symptoms are worse. Although losing weight can be difficult, it can help with pregnancy, labour, and childbirth.

Avoid Caffeine and Alcohol

Limit or avoid caffeine and alcohol consumption, which includes avoiding beverages such as coffee, tea, soda, cola, alcoholic drinks, etc. Caffeine can impact your bladder and make it harder for you to control urine. You can replace them with water and decaffeinated options for a better alternative.

Make Changes to the Diet:

Making changes to your diet. Besides caffeine and alcohol, reduce intake of spicy and highly acidic foods. This is crucial if you experience the frequent and urgent need to urinate, as they can worsen incontinence. Include high-fibre food to prevent constipation and relieve strain on the bladder.

Follow Behavioral Techniques:

Behavioral techniques such as bladder training for better bladder control. This involves waiting a bit longer after you have an urge to urinate to extend the time between each trip to the bathroom. Schedule bathroom breaks even when you don’t have the urge based on your patterns.

Try Kegel Exercises:

One of the most common exercises pregnant women follow to manage urinary leakage is Kegel exercises, also known as pelvic floor muscle exercises. Kegels are a go-to technique for women to strengthen their pelvic floor muscles during pregnancy. These clench and release exercises involve squeezing and releasing your pelvic floor muscles for a few seconds. These exercises provide better control over your bladder to tackle urinary leakage and can be beneficial during labour and delivery.

It is best to consult with your healthcare provider before you begin with Kegels. They can help determine if these exercises are right for you and ensure they are safe based on your symptoms and health conditions.

You can consult with our expert urologists at the Asian Institute of Nephrology and Urology (AINU) if you are experiencing these signs and symptoms of urinary incontinence during your pregnancy. We can recommend various techniques, such as exercises, lifestyle changes, etc., or medical treatment tailored to effectively manage the condition.

Conclusion

Urinary leakage is temporary in pregnant women and can last until a few weeks after childbirth. The urine leakage during pregnancy's first trimester can be mild and will become stronger in the later stages.