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Published on: 4/7/2025

What Causes Frequent Urination at Night During Pregnancy?

Frequent nighttime urination during pregnancy is common due to your growing uterus pressing on your bladder and changes in your body that increase urine production. These normal shifts help prepare your body for your baby’s arrival.

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Explanation

During pregnancy, many women notice an increase in how often they need to urinate at night. As your baby grows, your uterus gets larger and puts extra pressure on your bladder, which reduces how much it can hold. This means your bladder fills up more quickly, even overnight. Additionally, hormonal changes in pregnancy cause your kidneys to work more, making extra urine. When you lie down at night, the extra fluid that built up in your legs during the day can move back into your bloodstream, which the kidneys then filter into urine. This process also contributes to the frequent need to get up and use the bathroom. While these changes are a normal part of pregnancy, if you experience pain, burning, or develop a fever when urinating, these may be signs of a urinary tract infection. In that case, it’s important to let your healthcare provider know so they can check you out and give you the right care.

(References)

  • Adaji SE, Shittu OS, Bature SB, Nasir S, Olatunji O. Bothersome lower urinary symptoms during pregnancy: a preliminary study using the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire. Afr Health Sci. 2011 Aug;11 Suppl 1(Suppl 1):S46-52. doi: 10.4314/ahs.v11i3.70070. PMID: 22135644; PMCID: PMC3220122.

  • Wang X, Jin Y, Xu P, Feng S. Urinary incontinence in pregnant women and its impact on health-related quality of life. Health Qual Life Outcomes. 2022 Jan 21;20(1):13. doi: 10.1186/s12955-022-01920-2. PMID: 35062969; PMCID: PMC8781026.

  • Beyazıt A, Hakverdi AU, Gözükara KH. The Effect of Pregnancy on Urinary Symptoms. Cureus. 2023 Aug 28;15(8):e44232. doi: 10.7759/cureus.44232. PMID: 37772213; PMCID: PMC10523107.

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