Which statement describes a common genitourinary problem in pregnancy?

Which statement describes a common genitourinary problem in pregnancy?

• A. Urine retention due to pelvic floor weakness.
• B. Urinary tract infection.
• C. Insufficiency of pelvic floor leading to urine dribbling.
• D. Pre-eclampsia.

Answer: (C)

During pregnancy the pelvic floor is increasingly stressed and its supporting muscles can weaken because of hormonal changes and the growing uterus. This weakness reduces the urethral support and can lower the closure pressure around the bladder, making urine leak with activities such as coughing, sneezing, lifting, or even just after voiding. That tendency to leak or “dribble” is a common genitourinary change in pregnancy and is often called stress incontinence or pelvic floor–related leakage. It’s usually managed with pelvic floor strengthening exercises (like Kegels) and guidance on bladder habits, and it often improves after delivery. Urinary tract infections can also occur during pregnancy and are important to recognize, but the scenario described by dribbling specifically points to pelvic floor weakness leading to leakage. Urine retention from pelvic floor weakness is not typical, and pre-eclampsia is a separate condition involving high blood pressure and protein in the urine, not a genitourinary leakage issue.

During pregnancy the pelvic floor is increasingly stressed and its supporting muscles can weaken because of hormonal changes and the growing uterus. This weakness reduces the urethral support and can lower the closure pressure around the bladder, making urine leak with activities such as coughing, sneezing, lifting, or even just after voiding. That tendency to leak or “dribble” is a common genitourinary change in pregnancy and is often called stress incontinence or pelvic floor–related leakage. It’s usually managed with pelvic floor strengthening exercises (like Kegels) and guidance on bladder habits, and it often improves after delivery.

Urinary tract infections can also occur during pregnancy and are important to recognize, but the scenario described by dribbling specifically points to pelvic floor weakness leading to leakage. Urine retention from pelvic floor weakness is not typical, and pre-eclampsia is a separate condition involving high blood pressure and protein in the urine, not a genitourinary leakage issue.