Your pregnant wife is peeing so much because of a combination of hormonal changes and physical pressure from the growing uterus.
Here's a more detailed explanation:
Hormonal Changes
- Increased Blood Volume: During pregnancy, the body produces more blood (approximately 30-50% more) to support the growing baby. This increased blood volume means more fluid is processed through the kidneys, leading to more urine production.
- Relaxin Hormone: Pregnancy hormones, such as relaxin, cause ligaments throughout the body to soften and loosen. This includes the ligaments supporting the urethra. This softening can make it harder to control urine flow, resulting in more frequent urges to pee.
Physical Pressure
- Uterine Growth: As the uterus grows, it puts increasing pressure on the bladder. This reduces the bladder's capacity to hold urine, leading to a more frequent need to urinate, even when the bladder isn't completely full. This pressure is especially noticeable in the later stages of pregnancy.
In summary, the combination of increased blood volume requiring more kidney processing and the physical pressure of the growing uterus on the bladder, along with hormonal changes affecting the urethra, are the primary reasons for frequent urination during pregnancy.
