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When you first get pregnant, you probably feel like you're going to the bathroom every five minutes. You probably are going to the bathroom every five minutes.

An early sign of pregnancy is the need to urinate often and you'll notice it most in the first three months. This is because your expanding uterus is pressing against your bladder, creating the feeling that you need to pee. During pregnancy your body contains more fluid, and the kidneys, which are responsible for ridding the body of waste products, are more active, hence another reason you'll need to pee frequently.

Many women have this symptom throughout their pregnancy although some get a...

When you first get pregnant, you probably feel like you're going to the bathroom every five minutes. You probably are going to the bathroom every five minutes.

An early sign of pregnancy is the need to urinate often and you'll notice it most in the first three months. This is because your expanding uterus is pressing against your bladder, creating the feeling that you need to pee. During pregnancy your body contains more fluid, and the kidneys, which are responsible for ridding the body of waste products, are more active, hence another reason you'll need to pee frequently.

Many women have this symptom throughout their pregnancy although some get a brief respite in the second trimester, when the uterus has grown higher out of the pelvis and isn't pressing as much against the bladder.

What You Can Do

There's no avoiding frequent bathroom breaks, but here are some things you can do to help:

• Beautify your bathroom and go as often as you have the urge.
• Sit near the exit when you go to the movies.
• Identify the restroom when you arrive at a restaurant.
• Lean forward when you urinate to empty your bladder entirely.
• Do Kegels (which will help with bladder control and labor and make you feel like you're doing something, even if it's not much.)

Safety Note

Although constantly going to the bathroom can be annoying, it's essential to stay well hydrated so don't try to skimp on the liquids in the hope that it will make you pee less often.

Also, if you develop discomfort when urinating, you should seek medical care. Pregnant women are three times more likely to develop bladder infections than nonpregnant women.

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