Most pregnant women experience urine leakage during pregnancy, especially in the final trimester. Read on to know more about this condition, in this article.
Pregnancy triggers a lot of changes at the physical and physiological level. Since, this is such a crucial event in a woman’s life, it is but natural to expect some discomforts. Urine leakage is one such annoying side effect of pregnancy. Although, this condition sets in when you are in your second trimester, some women may experience it pretty early. However, urine leakage during pregnancy is often mistaken with leakage of amniotic fluid and vice a verse. Hence, it is imperative that you know the difference between two.
Urine Leakage During Early Pregnancy
As mentioned above, urine leakage during early pregnancy is very rare. However, this phase is characterized by increased vaginal discharge. Hence, many women are likely to take thin, slippery vaginal discharge for urine. This misconception can be very dangerous as the discharge may actually be a sign of infection. Yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis are the two types of infections that are rampant during pregnancy. Both these infections are characterized by heavy discharge. Bacterial vaginosis is mainly responsible for thin urine-like discharge. Hence, you are likely to take it for urine leakage.
However, you should be able to tell if the leakage is due to discharge or urine by its smell. Any type of bacterial or yeast infection usually gives out a very foul odor. If you suspect an infection, then get it treated by a doctor on a priority basis. Even urine leakage should be investigated as it is unusual to have incontinence problem this early in pregnancy. Sometimes, the discharge could be entirely harmless and may be the result of increased hormonal activity.
Urine Leakage During Late Pregnancy
This is the most common condition due to obvious reason. As you progress into later stages of pregnancy, your baby also grows in size. The uterus keeps on expanding in order to accommodate the growing baby. This exerts a lot of pressure on the bladder. Finally it gets crammed in a small space, which may cause it to accidentally leak urine. Sometimes, your baby may kick right on your bladder, causing it to squirt some urine. Needless to say, these conditions are perfectly normal. However, there is also a possibility of leaking amniotic fluid in your later pregnancy.
As amniotic fluid forms the basis of nutrition and protection for your baby, its leaking may cause your baby to become dry and dehydrated. This condition warrants immediate medical attention. Leaking amniotic fluid is only normal when you enter labor. At this time, you may experience a gush of amniotic fluid also called ‘breaking water’. However, some women may leak amniotic fluid for several days before their baby is due and yet not know it. Amniotic fluid and urine can be mistaken for each other. Even in this case, smell test can help you identify whether you leaked amniotic fluid or urine. Amniotic fluid is usually sweet smelling liquid and may have a pinkish, yellowish or greenish tinge.
Wearing a panty liner may help you in determining what kind of fluid you are leaking and in what quantity. Female incontinence mostly occurs when you strain your bladder such as during coughing, laughing etc. Amniotic fluid leakage occurs in the form of gush, especially when you stand up after sitting or lying for long.
If your doctor rules out any possibility of amniotic fluid leakage or infection, then you probably have no reason to worry. Whatever the discomfort you are facing now will subside soon after your little bundle of joy arrives. Leakage of urine during pregnancy can be controlled with the help of Kegel exercises which strengthen the pelvic muscles and help control the accidental leakage.
