Your Pregnancy

COULD IT BE A BLADDER INFECTION?

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Q:

I have a problem with my bladder. I have to go to the toilet even for a small amount of urine and it burns, especially at the night.

A:

It sounds like you have a bladder infection, which is fairly common in pregnancy, due to the softening effects of the hormone relaxin, the pipes which connect the bladder and kidneys may become “kinked” and urine is more likely to get caught up in these kinks, causing possible infection. If your urine is strong-smelling or very concentrat­ed or burns it is vital that you tell your caregiver.

HEALTHY BLADDER TIPS

Don’t limit your intake of fluid as you’ll then be more likely to develop bladder infections. Instead of drinking many glasses of water throughout the day, sip your water constantly and you’re less likely to keep running to the toilet as more water is likely to be absorbed, instead of it passing straight through. Exercise your pelvic floor daily. Don’t hold your urine in when you need to pass water – go to the toilet. Don‘t lean forward on the toilet; this may stop you from emptying your bladder completely. Always remember to wipe front to back, from your vagina back towards the anus, and not the other way around.

 ?? TINA OTTE ?? Midwife, childbirth educator and specialist editor of Your Pregnancy
TINA OTTE Midwife, childbirth educator and specialist editor of Your Pregnancy

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