Leaking urine during pregnancy is very common. Many moms-to-be notice occasional leaks when they cough, sneeze, laugh, or exercise, especially later in pregnancy. Hormonal changes and your growing baby's pressure on your bladder can make it harder to stay completely dry. While it can be a little annoying or embarrassing, it's usually temporary.
Here's what causes you to leak urine during pregnancy and what might help.
When does urinary incontinence start during pregnancy?
You may have noticed soon after you learned you were pregnant that you suddenly needed to run to the bathroom more often than usual.[1]
Gradually, that frequent need to pee during pregnancy may become even more urgent, especially during the third trimester, when your growing baby puts extra pressure on your bladder.[2] For some moms-to-be, it can also lead to occasional urine leaks.
Involuntary peeing during pregnancy can be annoying, messy, and occasionally embarrassing. But don’t worry, it's common and usually temporary.
"I just hit the third trimester, and I am leaking urine when I don't even think I have to pee," says Community mom dymon04.
What causes urinary incontinence during pregnancy?
Hormonal changes, especially fluctuating levels of relaxin and progesterone, along with increasing pressure on your bladder from your growing uterus are the main reasons pregnancy can cause urine leaks.
Your risk of incontinence during pregnancy is higher if you:
- Have a history of urinary tract infections
- Previously delivered vaginally
- Are older
- Are overweight, which puts more pressure on your bladder
- Experienced leaks before getting pregnant
"I'm not even 17 weeks yet, and I've already had three minor accidents," says What to Expect Community mom RandyRafael. "I have always had kind of a weak bladder, but I hadn't noticed anything like this until I got pregnant."
Leaks can happen any time but are especially common when you laugh, sneeze, or cough. (If you're going to a funny friend's house for lunch, wear a pantiliner or pack an extra pair of undies!)
"With my first pregnancy I would go to the bathroom and pee and then as I was walking out of the bathroom my bladder would be like, 'Wait, you forgot some,' and I'd leak a little pee," says Community mom Momofboth201520242025.
Feeling a little extra leakiness this week? Download the What to Expect app to track your symptoms, log your daily water intake, and get expert-backed tips tailored to your exact trimester.
What can I do about urinary incontinence when I'm pregnant?
If you're often leaking urine, here are some things to try:
- Do your Kegels. Try to work up to three sets of 10 Kegel exercises a day. You can also do a Kegel just before you cough, sneeze, laugh, or lift something heavy, which may help reduce leakage.
- Prevent constipation. Full bowels can put added pressure on your bladder, so take steps to stay regular.
- Stay hydrated. Drink at least 8 to 10 glasses of fluids every day. Cutting back on water to avoid bathroom trips only makes you vulnerable to dehydration and urinary tract infections.
- Avoid bladder irritants. Coffee, soft drinks, and alcohol can irritate your bladder and make leaks worse. (You'vealready cut back on caffeine and cut out alcohol during pregnancy, but here's another reason.)
- Wear a pad if needed. Pads can help absorb leaks. Skip tampons, though — they don't block the flow of urine, and they're off-limits during pregnancy anyway. "I've had a cold this week and I'm just wearing pads now," says Community mom Bookiebooboo20-23.
Be sure to mention urine leaks to your practitioner at your next visit and ask for their recommendations. If Kegel exercises aren't enough to control your leakage, sometimes a vaginal device (called a pessary) or seeing a pelvic floor physical therapist can help.
Can I prevent urinary incontinence during pregnancy?
Some research suggests that women with strong pelvic floor muscles are less likely to leak urine during pregnancy. But don't kick yourself if you didn't do your Kegels before pregnancy. There's a lot you can't control during pregnancy, and your bladder just might be one of those things.
When can I expect urinary incontinence to end?
After you have your baby, the incessant urge to pee usually goes away, and your bladder will probably return to normal. For some women, though, it can take a little longer.
Women who had especially long vaginal births or who have difficulty losing weight may continue to experience urine leaks after birth. If that's the case, ask your practitioner about treatment options.
"Happened anytime I went for a walk after about 5 minutes," says Community mom Chick-Pea. "I put it down to the baby's position and pressure on my bladder. It stopped as soon as I gave birth, thankfully!"
When should I call my health care practitioner?
Call your practitioner right away if:
- You're not certain it's urine you're leaking. If the liquid is flowing, not leaking, and is clear and odorless, you could be leaking amniotic fluid. (Urine typically has a mild ammonia smell.) If you're not sure, call your practitioner. "I was embarrassed to get checked but it's important to rule it out!" says Community mom PrayingforbabyS.
- You have any other concerning symptoms. A fever, lower abdominal discomfort, or foul-smelling urine, for example, could be signs of a urinary tract infection.
- Bladder leaks continue after delivery, or you're concerned about your risk of postpartum urinary incontinence. Your practitioner can discuss treatment options, including medications, pelvic floor physical therapy and, in some cases, surgery. Many treatments that aren't recommended during pregnancy may be appropriate after your baby is born.
If you're dealing with pregnancy bladder leaks, you're far from alone. While they can be inconvenient, they're usually a temporary side effect of pregnancy and often improve after delivery. In the meantime, a few simple habits can help you stay more comfortable — and your practitioner can offer additional support if you need it.
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