Urinary retention during pregnancy.

[Stormwhale]

Has anyone had this? I'm 34 weeks and today I have seen a urology/gyne nurse who has told me that my needing to go to the toilet constantly is because my bladder isn't emptying properly. She offered a catheter for me to do myself a few times a day to relieve the pressure but I cant cope with the idea. It is worse this evening though, and I'm worried I will end up at the hospital tomorrow if it doesn't improve. I'm also struggling with my bowels, like its blocked despite drinking lots and eating healthily. I can go eventually, but it's not normal at all. I get a lot of pain and cramping and keep trying to go for ages before anything happens, but it's not constipated. Sorry for the tmi.

I'm so uncomfortable and worried and just wondered if anyone has been in my shoes and what happened. Help!

I had it to a lesser extent. I was told to lean forwards and backwards and side to side whilst still sitting on the loo after a wee. Apparently this helps to fully empty the bladder

Watto at this point I will try anything thank you.

What makes you nervous about a catheter?

I use one as and when for a neuro condition that causes me to retain so maybe I can help you feel more comfortable about that which may give you a step forward? Or is it a total no go for you? Xx

Sometimes a waft of cold air can get things moving too, well for pees anyways. Dipping hands in cold water maybe? Might be a good idea for a catheter though it really does ease the pressure. Keep an eye out for infections with catheters.

I didn’t have it during pregnancy but I had complete urinary retention after I gave birth so I couldn’t go at all. Staff at the hospital told me to try having the tap running whilst I was trying to go, getting a warm shower/bath, blowing as if you were blowing air through a straw and finally sniffing peppermint oil, all these gave me the urge to go more but I still couldn’t go, but if you’re already going and just not emptying properly maybe they will help.

@Keyboard91 - I have had to have a catheter once before, and the sensation of having the tube put up the urethra was so unpleasant I panicked and blacked out. It has left me incredibly frightened of even trying it.

Thank you for all the tips, I will keep trying different things when I go and see if anything helps.

Moving forwards, backwards and sideways seemed to help slightly as it was a bit more than a trickle when I tried. I'm going every 20 minutes or so tonight so plenty of opportunities to try different things.

Glad it helped a bit x

I’m 34 weeks and am urinating constantly it’s soooo uncomfy like as soon as I’ve been I need to go again, and up every 1-2 hours through the night peeing , I thought it was because baby is head down I never asked anyone , did you just ask your midwife ? X

@Sh13 - my midwife hasn't said that much about it to be honest, but I am under urology/gyne for a prolapse that happened at the beginning of the pregnancy. The nurse wanted to catch up with me today to see how I was getting on and I explained about the urgency and frequency I am having which has started over the last 3/4 weeks and is so restrictive for going out anywhere. She feels that it's being caused by the bladder not emptying properly rather than there being a lack of space like I thought.

I think I had a much milder version of this when pregnant with dd. Not sure if it's because I have a tilted uterus?