Bladder Care in Labour

You'll be familiar with the "just pop your urine sample over there" from your antenatal appointments. 

It might feel repetitive, but checking your urine during pregnancy is a really useful way of keeping an eye on both your health and your baby's. We're looking for things such as protein (which can sometimes be a sign of pre-eclampsia), glucose (which may indicate gestational diabetes), signs of infection and, occasionally, ketones if you're feeling unwell or not eating and drinking enough.

But did you know that we are absolutely blooming obsessed with your pee and your bladder during labour (and postnatally!). 

As your baby's head descends through the pelvis, a full bladder can actually get in the way. An overfilled bladder may make it more difficult for your baby to move down, can contribute to slower progress in labour and, after birth, may increase the risk of bleeding because it prevents the uterus from contracting as effectively. Labouring and pushing with a full bladder can result in postnatal bladder issues such as retention or incontinence. 

Labour can also make it surprisingly difficult to recognise when your bladder is full. The sensations of contractions, strong pain relief such as an epidural, or simply being so focused on giving birth can all mean you don't realise you need to pass urine.

That's why your midwife will gently (sometimes annoyingly...sorry!) encourage you to empty your bladder regularly during labour, usually every 2–4 hours if possible. If you're unable to pass urine, particularly after an epidural, a catheter may be recommended to keep your bladder empty and allow labour to progress as smoothly as possible.

It might not be the most glamorous part of labour, but good bladder care in labour is one of those small things that can make a big difference, especially in the months and years following the birth of your baby. Like so much of maternity care, it's all about creating the best environment for both you and your baby!