Topic Overview

Most women have an increased urge to urinate during pregnancy. This is a normal body response related to hormone changes that occur during pregnancy and to physical pressure on the bladder.

Bladder infections are more common during pregnancy. When a bladder infection develops during pregnancy, you may have discomfort when you urinate or have a strong urge to urinate but pass only a small amount of urine. Bladder infections during pregnancy may increase your risk of kidney infections, miscarriage, and having a premature or low-birth-weight baby.

The inability to urinate (retention) may be caused by infection, pressure on the tubes that carry the urine from the kidneys to the bladder (ureters), the use of medicines, or a blockage of the urethra. In rare cases, the urethra can become blocked by a blood clot or bladder stone. Call your doctor if you are unable to urinate during your pregnancy.