The Two Pregnancy Questions Every Midwife Should Ask

Two simple antenatal questions can make a meaningful difference to an expectant mother’s comfort, confidence and care.

At an antenatal appointment, it is natural to focus on blood pressure, baby’s movements and birth plans. But two less glamorous questions can reveal an enormous amount: “Are you passing stools comfortably?” and “Have you noticed any changes when you pass urine?”

One uncovers a problem that may be making everyday life miserable. The other may flag an infection that can matter even when a woman feels perfectly well.

Constipation: Common, but not something to dismiss

Constipation affects roughly one in three pregnant women. Rising progesterone slows the movement of food through the intestines, while iron supplements, less movement and changes in eating habits can add to the problem. It can mean hard stools, painful straining, bloating and haemorrhoids.

Ask about comfort, not just frequency. A mother who opens her bowels every day may still struggle. Is she straining? Are stools hard? Is an iron supplement making things worse?

Begin with small, achievable steps: more fruit, vegetables, oats, beans and wholegrains; enough fluids; gentle activity where appropriate; and time to use the toilet without rushing. Encourage her to increase fibre gradually, rather than all at once.

For women who need help closing their daily fibre gap, a supplement may be worth discussing. Probitec Fibre+ provides 5 g of prebiotic fibre per sachet (equivalent to eating 18 grams of standard fibre), formulated to support bowel regularity and feed good gut bacteria. It also contains L-glutamine and digestive enzymes – providing a holistic foundation for good gut health. 

When dietary and lifestyle measures are insufficient, a pharmacist, midwife or doctor can advise on constipation treatments appropriate for pregnancy. There is no need for a mother to endure persistent discomfort in silence.

Urinary health: Symptoms matter, but silence can matter too

UTIs affect many pregnancies. Hormonal changes and pressure from the growing uterus can slow urine flow, making bacterial infection more likely. Ask about burning, new urgency, lower abdominal discomfort or blood in the urine. Remember that passing urine more often can be normal in pregnancy; symptoms alone do not confirm a UTI.

Crucially, some women have significant bacteria in their urine without any symptoms. Follow local antenatal screening protocols and arrange appropriate assessment and urine testing when indicated. Fever, chills, vomiting or pain in the back or side warrant urgent medical evaluation. Confirmed infection needs timely, appropriate antibiotic treatment.

Mothers may also ask about cranberry. But here’s something interesting: it’s not simply the cranberry itself that matters. It’s the active compounds within it, called A-type proanthocyanidins (PACs), which have been studied for their ability to stop harmful bacteria from sticking to the urinary tract wall.

And here’s where it gets even more interesting. Your gut bacteria play an important role too! They break down cranberry compounds and convert them into new substances called metabolites, which do the work of unsticking the harmful bacteria.

However, studies show you need at least 36mg of PAC’s, combined with probiotics (or a very healthy gut microbiome) for the dose to work. This is why Probitec UT-Cran is so effective: it combines 72 mg of PAC’s with 30 billion CFU of bacteria. 

Small questions. Meaningful care.

Neither topic is glamorous, and neither may appear in a birth plan. But giving a woman permission to talk openly about bowel habits and urinary symptoms can relieve discomfort, build trust and identify concerns early.

Ask the two questions. Offer practical support. Know when to refer.

Sometimes the most valuable care starts with what nobody else thought to ask.