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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

13 weeks pregnant and struggling to wee when bladder is full

25 replies

Josiejo12 · 31/12/2019 22:36

So it's a bit of a weird one....on Friday I went for 12 week scan and sonographer told me to go and empty my bladder as it was too full. I went to the loo but despite being desperate for a wee nothing would come out! I told sonographer but she didn't really aknowledge it and just scanned anyway. When I got home I was able to wee, albeit slowly, and I've been fine since. Then today at work, I was busy so by the time I got to go to the loo I really needed to go but the same happened again.

When I has a private scan a few weeks ago they told me that I had a retroverted uterus which tilted backwards. I've looked online and seen a few people have said they've had similar problems but it sorts itself out when the uterus moves forwards. Just wondered if anyone else had experienced this? I'm started to get paranoid that I'm not going to be able to pee and I'll burst!!

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HeadintheClouds20 · 01/01/2020 09:19

Hi @Josiejo12,

I'm 13 weeks and also have a retroverted uterus. I think I might be experiencing something similar. It's not everytime I go for a wee but most times whether my bladder is full or just feels it, it takes a while to start coming out and is slower than usual.

I don't really know how to help but thought I'd let you know it's happening to me too!

Original poster

Josiejo12 · 01/01/2020 09:32

Thanks for replying.....it makes me feel better knowing I'm not the only one!

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Peanutty86 · 01/01/2020 09:32

My uterus is 'normal' and I started having this around 22 weeks with my first and it's already starting with my second at 5 weeks. With my first I had to kind of dig my fingers under my bump and lift it slightly, it was like there was too much pressure on the urethra and it couldn't come out.... I remember that I'd often end up peeing into a cup standing up as it was easier and I felt more relieved after...

Original poster

Josiejo12 · 01/01/2020 09:37

Thanks peanutty86 that's good to know. With your first did it last the rest of the pregnancy?

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justenoughjim · 01/01/2020 09:45

I had this and went into urinary retention - couldn't wee at all. Had to self catheterise for a while. Baby was always really low in my pelvis but the uterus moves up and out around this time in the pregnancy and once it did all went back to normal thankfully.

Peanutty86 · 01/01/2020 10:06

@Josiejo12 yes it did and it got worse the bigger the bump. I had to have a catheter during birth because I couldn't wee at all. Now I wish I could have a catheter 24/7 for the rest of this pregnancy because it just makes life so much easier. I think I ended up going to the loo around 12 times/night and as soon as I'd lie back down it'd feel full again. Ohhhh the joys!

Kezmum14 · 01/01/2020 15:59

I have this too, I’m 13 weeks and it’s Been happening for around 8 weeks. I went for my scan yesterday and she said I have an RV. (Never has this problem before but apparently my multiple c sections will have caused it) hoping it improves soon :)

Ibizababyy · 01/01/2020 19:27

I’m 29 weeks now but had this around week 13-16 this time around. Sonographer at 12 week scan said I was retroverted too and I actually had to have an internal scan to get the neck measurement as she couldn’t see clearly enough externally due to it. I had one particular episode where I had drank nearly 2 litres of water and then couldn’t wee no matter what for about 5 hours- was in utter agony!! Drove home from work crying and finally managed to go by sitting on the loo, putting my hands on the floor in front of me and tipping all the way forward so my legs went up behind me! I had rang triage and all they could suggest was dipping my wee for a uti- it seems it doesn’t happen very often although like you I had read things online. Once everything ripped forward I have been fine.

tryingtostaypositiveeveryday · 03/06/2020 03:44

Hello ladies, I had this in my first pregnancy and now getting it with my second. Will try the standing up to pee and tilting forward but are there any other things you can do to keep it moving or any positions to avoid lying or standing in? Seems to happen to me more in the night?! X

Luckyme30 · 03/06/2020 05:48

I’ve been having the same problem for the last week or so (I’m 18 weeks pregnant). I feel like I really need a wee and then when I go there’s only a small amount but then 10 minutes later I need to go again!

I honestly just thought it was me! I don’t have any suggestions on what helps so following this thread :)

I also was told at 12 week scan I have a retroverted uterus and I’m still not really showing at 18, nearly 19 weeks.. so wondering (although rare) if mines not tipped back yet?!

tryingtostaypositiveeveryday · 03/06/2020 06:51

After lots of Googling and panicking in the night, I have found that getting on all fours and rocking for a minute or two ( very attractive!) then standing up and peeing in a jug has done the trick (even more attractive!) Yes, I too have a retroverted uterus - same with my first. May be worth asking if you need another scan if worried. It didn’t cause me any problems with my first other than baby being undiagnosed breech (not sure if that was the retroverted uterus or not) x

Luckyme30 · 03/06/2020 07:22

Hmm it seems possibly linked to retroverted uterus (I was told I had retroverted uterus before my pregnancy due to surgery and they mentioned about problems weeing). I have my 20 week scan next week so I might ask there if it’s anything to be concerned about. I will report back as to what they say.

Gerdticker · 03/06/2020 15:58

I have a retroverted uterus and have this too!

I have found that sometimes if I press on my urethral opening in my vagina, it helps kickstart the pee?! I have no idea why!

fretnot · 03/06/2020 16:24

I have this - need to look into RV uterus! In previous pregnancies I used to stand over the toilet, supporting my weight with hands on knees and that worked pretty well. However, I recently found this is not recommended ‘toileting posture’ and so have been using a footstool while on the loo, trying for a more natural squat position with relaxed tummy dangling over the edge(!). Seems to work well for this problem, and has made pooing easier too

Teakind · 03/06/2020 16:34

Hi, please be careful with as could be a sign of a UTI or, as was the case with me, at around 14/16 weeks pregnant when your uterus lifts out of your pelvis, it can block your bladder. I noticed I couldn't wee properly for about a week and the GP was really dismissive but a couple of days later I ended up in agony in A&E. They scanned my bladder and it was completely full so I needed a catheter for a few days until it sorted itself out.

I have a retroverted uterus too I wonder if there is some correlation

Begoniagal7 · 29/03/2022 21:26

I’m suffering from this currently, I’m 11 weeks and believe I’m retroverted. Any other suggestions for relief? I notice it’s worst at night and just feels like my urethra is compressed. My urine is negative for infection.

Had a caesarean with first baby and vaguely recall similar symptoms in that pregnancy but not as much as now!

Melroses · 29/03/2022 21:34

I had my babies in the 90s, pre internet, and had to rely on my Sheila Kitzinger book and a couple of easy reading books/pamphlets I got through maternity services.

I know that a retroverted uterus and urinary retention is a thing at about 12 weeks.

I am surprised that HCPs are so unaware. This isn't the first thread I have seen about it.

It is supposed to subside after the uterus is out of the pelvis. It looks like A&E is the best call if you have a problem - don't let them fob you off.

Hope it all passes without problem for everyone here

Begoniagal7 · 30/03/2022 06:32

Thank you @Melroses. I’m actually a midwife and hadn’t heard of it, especially the association with retroversion! I’m not at A&E stage yet but it is just quite uncomfortable…and I’m already up to wee in the night but those trips now are 15 minutes or so! Last night was much better so I’m hoping my womb is beginning to share more space with the bladder…

Melroses · 31/03/2022 17:12

Ah good luck with it all @Begoniagal7 and hopefully this stage will pass uneventfully. I think it is one of those things that doesn't often happen, yet it is useful to know so that you know what to do if it does. It probably gets lost in the information overload we live in these days.

Just realised this is an old thread so maybe I have read it before 🤣

Begoniagal7 · 02/04/2022 19:37

Thank you @Melroses, im 12 weeks tomorrow and the issue seems to be resolving on its own, thankfully!

LittleGwyneth · 03/04/2022 11:24

I had similar (also got a retroverted uterus) and I found that leaning forward and backwards slowly while on the loo helped, but as everyone else has said, be careful about UTIs.

Holz22 · 11/04/2022 19:35

So pleased I found this thread i went for a scan on Friday at 15+6 the same happened to me I was asked to empty my bladder and boom straight into urine retention hospital and over night cathater it was agony. I am able to go myself now that goodness, although it is little and often. I also have a retroverted uterus I am hoping symptoms start to go soon. I’m so concerned and anxiety is through the roof.

Mummyme32 · 12/04/2022 08:45

Just to add to this really useful thread:

I’ve just had catheter in A&E due to acute urinary retention. I had my 12 week scan just over a week ago and sonographer aid to empty bladder a bit as was very full and I just couldn’t even though I was so uncomfortably full and needed to wee desperately!

Then I was ok until a few days ago when I started waking in the night feeling like a really needed to wee but not being able to - we’ll just a tiny bit if I strained more than I probably should have.

Then yesterday I could hardly wee at all day and ended up in A&E in agony. It was so bad I thought I must be in early labour and was sure I was miscarrying but the baby is absolutely fine - just something stopping my bladder working - no one seemed to have any clue what.

I’ve got a very retroverted uterus, mentioned every scan with every baby. Always have to have transvaginal at 12 week scans due to poor visibility with my funny tilted womb. Hard to hear baby with Doppler too.

Thanks for the tips on things to do to ease the discomfort if it happens again. I’m really hoping as I’m 13 1/2 weeks now that uterus will straighten up a bit soon and that might solve the issue. 🤞🏼

Holz22 · 13/04/2022 12:51

@Mummyme32 hopefully 🤞 from what I have read it seems to always affect those with tilted uterus and always around the same gestation. How have you been since your a&e trip. I have thankfully been able to go although it is little and often I will be 16 weeks on Saturday, really hoping I’ve seen the end of this.

Mummyme32 · 14/04/2022 12:45

It’s awful isn’t it? Just an extra worry during pregnancy too!

It’s been dramatic here. 12 hours after a&E sent me on my way I had to go back again because I still hadn’t been able to pass urine and it was starting to really hurt again so they admitted me and put me on a catheter again but overnight this time. No one at the hospital seems to think my theory about retroverted uterus is valid but not does anyone have any other explanation.

It seems too much of a coincidence to have all these stories at such a similar gestation. I feel fine when catheterised but dreading it being taking out and me still not being able to wee.

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