One of the most common complaints during pregnancy is frequent urination. Whether you are sprinting to the bathroom every half hour because of hormones (first trimester) or because of bladder pressure (third trimester), there are practical things you can do to manage the inconvenience of frequent urination.
1. Try to spread your water intake throughout the day, rather than drinking large amounts of water all at once, especially at night. This will prevent you from getting those sudden urges to run to the bathroom, since your bladder will fill slowly and gradually.
2. Avoid drinking a few hours before bed to reduce trips to the bathroom in the middle of the night, which disrupt your sleep and can make you tired the next day.
3. Try to use the bathroom right before you go to sleep. If you do have to get up in the middle of the night, use a night light rather than turning on a bright light. By not turning on a bunch of lights, you will help yourself to fall back asleep faster.
4. Follow the same advice you give to your kids: use the bathroom before you leave the house, even if it is just a short trip, and find the bathroom as soon as you arrive at your destination. There is nothing more frustrating than being in the middle of the grocery store with a cart full of items and you have to go to the bathroom.
5. The last thing you want to do is drink less water. Drinking enough water is always important for your health and well being, but it’s even more important during pregnancy.
6. Avoid the use of caffeine, which acts as a diuretic and will make your problem worse.
7. A side effect of frequent bathroom trips is frequent hand washing, which could lead to uncomfortable, dry, cracked hands. Keep a small bottle of lotion in your purse and apply each time you wash your hands.