What explanation should the nurse provide to a client experiencing urinary frequency during pregnancy?

During pregnancy, the growing uterus expands and can exert pressure on the bladder, leading to increased urinary frequency. As the pregnancy progresses, this pressure becomes more pronounced, especially in the second and third trimesters when the uterus is significantly larger. The increased frequency of urination is a common symptom many pregnant women experience, as the functional capacity of the bladder may be decreased due to this physical obstruction.

This explanation underscores a normal physiological change rather than suggesting a pathological condition, which can help alleviate concerns about complications for the client. While bladder capacity changes may occur, in general, it is the pressure from the uterus that primarily accounts for the urinary frequency experienced during pregnancy.