When you’re nearing the end of pregnancy, desperation for labor starts to set in. You might start walking up and down stairs, eating spicy food, or going for a bumpy car ride. Even the most far-fetched ideas start to seem appealing, because you want that baby to make an arrival post-haste. But there’s an even easier possibility. Will going to the bathroom start labor?
Don’t worry: I’m not going to delve too far into TMI territory. But if you just give the pregnancy boards a quick glance, there is definitely some interest in this method. Some women report experiencing contractions after going to the bathroom, while others believe that “holding it” may trigger labor. Is there any validity to these ideas? Because the last thing a very pregnant lady wants to do is “hold it” when there is a tiny person stomping on her bladder.
As with many pregnancy-related health aspects, there is some debate around this topic. And you don’t want to do anything to make yourself unnecessarily uncomfortable in those final days leading up to the birth. However, if you’re one-hundred percent ready to have the baby already, it may make sense to pay attention to your bathroom habits.
While it may seem like your urination has an effect on your contractions, it may be the other way around. As the New Health Guide stated, when labor is imminent, your baby’s head will be nearer to your bladder, which may increase your need to urinate. So if you're close to go-time for baby, pay attention if you need to pee even more frequently, because it may mean that contractions will start up in earnest soon. Fortunately, you don't have to worry about trying to "hold it" to make the contractions start up, either: if you have to go, just go. There's no point in adding to your discomfort at this stage of the game. Overall, just listen to your body and get ready for your new arrival.
