Urination difficulties

Urination difficulties after childbirth

In the first hours and days after delivery many women encounter an unexpected problem: it is difficult or even impossible for them to use the toilet “for a pee,” despite feeling a full bladder. This condition, known as postpartum urinary retention, can be caused by several factors and is usually temporary, but it requires the attention of medical staff.

Why do difficulties arise?

• Swelling and tissue trauma. The passage of the baby through the birth canal causes significant swelling of the tissues around the urethra. This swelling can mechanically compress the urinary outlet, making urine flow difficult.
• Epidural anesthesia. The analgesia can temporarily “turn off” the nerve endings responsible for sensing bladder fullness and controlling the muscles involved in urination. A woman may simply not feel the urge or be unable to relax the necessary muscles.
• Psychological factor. Fear of pain, especially when perineal stitches are present, can trigger a reflex muscle spasm that hinders relaxation.
• Reduced bladder tone. During pregnancy the bladder was compressed, and after delivery it expands rapidly. It needs time to regain its normal tone.

Why is this important?

A full bladder not only causes discomfort but also interferes with the uterus’s normal contractions. This increases the risk of postpartum hemorrhage. In addition, urinary stasis creates conditions for the development of urinary tract infections. That is why the maternity ward staff strongly encourages the woman to use the toilet during the first few hours after delivery.