Why You Need To Empty Your Bladder In Labor

Let’s talk about peeing in labor, because it’s actually more important than you might think. In labor, you will need to remain well-hydrated to help give the energy and stamina you need to get through labor and delivery. Research has shown that women who are well-hydrated have faster, easier labors than women who were dehydrated. If you have a hard time keeping liquids down, you may need to be given an IV to help administer fluids into your body. All of this fluid intake should mean that you’ll be visiting the toilet quite a bit. The goal is to try and empty your bladder about every 4-5 hours in the beginning of labor and every 1-2 hours while in active labor and here’s why:

Why A Full Bladder Is Dangerous In Labor

In labor, your contractions cause pressure and discomfort as your baby is being moved down the birth canal, and having a full bladder only increases these unfavorable sensations. When the bladder is full, it is enlarged and increases the likelihood that it will be injured as your baby descends. You also want your bladder to be empty in case you are have a C-section (planned or un-planned) because it will need to be as small as possible so that it is kept away from the surgical field. A full bladder can also influence the position and descent of your baby’s head, potentially causing it to shift into an unfavorable position.

What If You Aren’t Able To Urinate?

If you are struggling to pee on your own, there are a few tricks that are often successful for helping to get you to urinate. You can try listening to running water, getting in the shower and trying to pee there, or spending a lot of time (preferably alone) on the toilet. Toilets are also a great place to labor because the position helps to open up your pelvis and can provide relief for your legs and back. If you still end up having a hard time urinating on your own, you may need to be given a catheter to help drain your bladder. Catheters are hollow tubes inserted into the urethra to keep the bladder empty. Having a catheter inserted should not be painful, but it can be a bit uncomfortable while it is being placed. Other reasons you might need a catheter include if you have an epidural or a C-section because you won’t be able to move around to use the bathroom or may not even be able to feel the need to urinate.

The main thing to remember is to keep drinking lots of fluids to not only keep yourself well-hydrated and energized, but so that you can successfully use the bathroom every few hours. Try your best to urinate frequently to keep your bladder empty and if you are having a hard time relaxing your body enough so that you can pee, consider talking to your provider about having a catheter put in.