Does Pregnancy Cause Bladder Leaks?
When we think about the effects of pregnancy, our mind tends to default towards the cravings, swollen ankles, and morning sickness. However, one of the lesser mentioned is the leaks sometimes experienced by soon-to-be mothers.
A cough, a laugh, sometimes just a movement can be all it takes. You're caught off guard. Suddenly, you're wondering how this has happened.
How does this happen to your bladder? How can I stay protected?
Why Do Leaks Happen?
What's happening in your body is extraordinary. You have a human growing inside of you.
That growth, however, creates pressure.
The uterus is expanding, pushing down on the bladder. Hormonal changes begin to loosen your pelvic floor muscles, making it slightly more difficult to hold urine in as the muscles that usually control it are stretched thin.
This is called stress incontinence, and it’s incredibly common in pregnancy. Around half of women experience some level of bladder leakage before giving birth.
When It’s More Than Pressure
Leaks are variable, not every leak is the same, and not every leak is "normal"
Dribbles are part of the process, whether frequent or not; it is still important to pay attention, as they may point to something else, urinary tract infection, an overactive bladder, or weakened pelvic-floor function
If you’re leaking large amounts, struggling to control the urge, or feeling pain, don’t ignore it. It’s not something to “just put up with.” These are signs to get checked.
Your doctor or midwife can rule out infection, assess pelvic-floor strength, and ensure there’s nothing more serious at play.
Taking Back Control
While it may feel that you're up against the wall, there are many ways to take the upper hand. Your bladder might not listen to reason, but it will respond to training. Pelvic-floor exercises help build strength and coordination in the muscles that support your bladder, womb, and bowel. They’re safe, easy to do, and worth starting early in pregnancy.
Stay hydrated. While it’s tempting to cut back on fluids to avoid leaks, dehydration only makes urine more concentrated, consequently can irritate the bladder and increase urgency.
Whether you leak lightly, or even if it's heavy, there's protection on offer. For light leaks, you may find something small like our bamboo light incontinence pads, or if you find yourself leaking more, our All-In-Ones or Pull-Up Pants can be a great option, depending on your situation. All are available as free samples to try before you buy, and see what works best for you.
What’s Normal and What’s Not
| Normal | Not normal |
| Occasional leaks when sneezing, laughing, or coughing. |
Constant leakage or pain when urinating. |
| Small dribbles linked to increased pressure as pregnancy progresses. | Feeling unable to empty your bladder fully. |
| Temporary urgency or frequency, especially in later trimesters. | Leaks that persist long after birth without improvement. |
Knowing the difference means you can act early before “temporary” becomes something more persistent.
The Takeaway
Pregnancy puts your body through enormous changes, and bladder leaks are one of the most common but least talked about. You don’t need to feel embarrassed, and you don’t need to just live with it.
Strengthen what you can. Get checked when you need to. And remember, leaking during pregnancy might be normal, but suffering in silence never is.
Bladder and bowel incontinence may be caused by conditions which can be treated medically. Please consult your physician for medical advice and guidance. All sources used in this article are cited below.
