If pregnant women like to hold their urine, you should immediately stop the habit, yes. Holding urine too often during pregnancy is not a good thing because it can cause problems with the urinary tract, especially urinary tract infections.
When the urge to urinate (BAK) arises, pregnant women should immediately go to the toilet and do not hold urine for too long. Actually, holding your pee if only briefly or done occasionally does not matter. However, if you hold your urine too often or for too long, pregnant women can be at risk of developing a urinary tract infection (UTI).
Causes of Pregnant Women Vulnerable to UTI
Pregnant women tend to urinate more frequently (BAK) due to hormonal changes during pregnancy. These hormonal changes make the amount of blood and blood flow to the kidneys increase, so the body of pregnant women will produce more urine.
In addition to increasing the amount of urine during pregnancy, the size of the uterus that increases with age can also put pressure on the bladder. These things make pregnant women will feel more frequent urge to urinate.
If you hold your urine too often, the flow of urine in the urinary tract and bladder can be disrupted. This then makes it easier for germs to multiply and cause infections in the urinary tract.
Some Signs and Symptoms of UTI
Urinary tract infections may be asymptomatic. However, in general, urinary tract infections will cause symptoms such as:
- Pain or burning sensation when urinating
- Urine that is passed is cloudy, bloody, or smells bad
- Fever
- Pain and discomfort in the pelvic area, lower abdomen, and lower back
- Pain during sexual intercourse
In addition to the above symptoms, urinary tract infections can also cause nausea and vomiting, back pain, and anyang-anyangan.
Tips to Avoid UTIs During Pregnancy
To prevent UTIs during pregnancy, pregnant women are advised to do the following:
Drink enough water
Urination (BAK) is the body's natural process to remove excess fluid and waste substances from the body. By drinking enough water, pregnant women's bodies will produce more urine so that they urinate more often. It is good for cleaning the urinary tract of germs naturally.
Not only that, drinking enough water is also good for preventing pregnant women from becoming dehydrated. A sign that the pregnant woman's body is getting enough fluids is if her urine is light yellow or clear.
However, you should avoid drinking too much water before going to bed at night because it can make pregnant women wake up often to urinate.
Routinely clean the feminine area
So that germs do not easily enter the urinary tract, pregnant women need to frequently clean their intimate organs in the right way, namely washing the vagina using clean water and then wiping it from front to back (from the vagina to the anus), especially after every urination.
To keep the intimate area dry and comfortable, wear underwear that is not too tight and made of cotton because this material can absorb sweat well. Don't forget to change your underwear every day, okay?
Avoid the habit of holding back urination
As discussed earlier, the habit of holding urine can cause urinary tract infections (UTIs). Therefore, pregnant women need to avoid this habit.
If you start to feel the urge to urinate, immediately go to the toilet and urinate completely. Pregnant women do not need to rush when urinating.
In addition, in order not to go back and forth to the bathroom too often to urinate, pregnant women should not consume drinks that are diuretic, such as coffee, tea, or fizzy drinks that contain caffeine.
If pregnant women are already experiencing UTI symptoms, you should immediately consult a gynecologist so that safe treatment can be given so that the UTI does not get worse and harm the fetus.
