Urinary tract infection in pregnancy - symptoms and treatment
A woman's body undergoes a lot of changes during pregnancy. Although pregnancy is a beautiful time for a woman, it is also full of symptoms that can complicate a woman's life. These changes and possible complications are also related to the urinary system. The urinary tract also adapts to changes in the organism, which is adjusted to the needs of the fetus and the woman. This explains why a woman feels an increased need to urinate during pregnancy, urine leaks and other symptoms appear. During pregnancy, the urinary system is more susceptible to the occurrence of infections and inflammations of the urinary tract. How to treat urinary tract infection during pregnancy? Is frequent urination during pregnancy a symptom of inflammation or infection of the urinary tract?
Author:Michelle Robinson
Updated: 04.12.2023
During pregnancy, the female body is exposed to an increased risk of urinary tract infections, because hormonal and physical changes can affect the normal functioning of the urinary tract. This increased risk is also caused by a weakened immune system, whose ability to defend against infections is lower during pregnancy. Infections and inflammations of the urinary tract, unfortunately, occur relatively often during pregnancy. These conditions are well treatable, but under no circumstances should the symptoms be underestimated or ignored. Neglecting inflammation can lead to its spread to other parts of the urinary tract or even to the kidneys, which is a serious condition. A pregnant woman must be aware that any infection or ongoing inflammation can negatively affect the pregnancy and the health of the fetus.
Urinary system of a pregnant woman
Several physiological and hormonal changes related to pregnancy are directly correlated with changes in the urinary system of a pregnant woman. The goal of these changes is to support the growing fetus, ensure its nutrition, and at the same time effectively eliminate waste substances from the body.
One of the main changes that also affects the activity of the urinary tract is that there is an increase in the volume of blood and its circulation in the woman's body. The kidneys, which remove waste products from the body, become larger and naturally have more blood flow. By increasing the volume of blood in a pregnant woman's body, the higher flow also greatly increases the activity of the kidneys. Also for this reason, an increased need to urinate appears during the first trimester of pregnancy.
The growing uterus and fetus exert a physical effect on the bladder and create pressure on it. This physiological fact causes the enlarged bladder to be more sensitive and thus causes a woman to urinate compulsively. Naturally, hormonal changes that affect the activity of the urinary system must also be taken into account. First of all, it is progesterone that causes the urethra to expand. Also for this reason, there is a higher risk that harmful bacteria can penetrate into the bladder. A weakened immune system is consequently unable to effectively protect the urinary tract from infections in time. It is then that there is a risk of urinary tract inflammation or, in a worse case, kidney inflammation.
Urinary tract inflammation in pregnancy
Cutting sensations when urinating or burning pain ? For many women who have already overcome UTIs in their lives, this indication is a clear sign that something is wrong down there. The fact is that inflammation of the urinary tract is most often caused by a bacterial infection that enters the urinary system. The inflammatory process itself is the body's response to infection.
As a result of a urinary tract infection, inflammation can occur in the urethra, which carries urine from the kidneys to the bladder, or in the part where the short urethra distributes urine from the bladder out of our body. Inflammation can also occur directly in the bladder (cystitis). The most serious condition is kidney inflammation (pyelonephritis). Such a condition is usually accompanied by an increased body temperature above 37.5 °C and other symptoms, such as kidney pain during pregnancy, nausea, vomiting or lower back pain on one side. Usually, a kidney infection occurs if the infection and subsequent inflammation of the urinary tract or bladder is ignored for a long time, or untreated.
Repeated inflammation of the urinary tract during pregnancy is not exceptional either. Some women suffer more from urinary tract infections, which can cause more frequent inflammatory responses in the urinary system. However, it is necessary to realize that every inflammatory process in a woman's body, especially during pregnancy, carries certain risks. Repeated urinary tract infections need to be treated professionally. Most often, the doctor prescribes prophylactic antibiotics.
Urinary tract infection - uroinfection
Urinary tract infection is a general term that includes urinary tract infection itself, bladder infection (cystitis) and kidney infection (pyelonephritis). The main difference between the terms urinary tract infection and urinary tract inflammation is that in a uroinfection, not only the urinary tract and bladder can be affected, but also the kidneys. A kidney infection can be more serious and requires more thorough and intensive treatment, as it can cause serious complications. Both conditions can present with similar or identical symptoms.
The infection itself can arise primarily in the urinary tract during pregnancy - as a primary infection, it can attack other parts of the urinary tract and thus spread. In the second case, the infection can be transferred from the external environment through the urethra to the bladder and subsequently also spread. The fact is that even sexual intercourse during pregnancy can increase the risk of infections and inflammatory diseases. Bacteria can reach the bladder through the anus. With proper hygiene before and after sex, however, according to experts, you don't have to worry.
Symptoms of urinary tract infection
Symptoms of urinary tract inflammation are usually well known to women. There are not rare cases when inflammation of the urinary tract takes place in a woman's body for a relatively long time and without symptoms. For this reason, every woman's urine is regularly checked during pregnancy. Urinalysis determines whether bacteria are present in the urine. Which of the symptoms of urinary tract inflammation are the most common?
- Frequent and compulsive feelings to urinate,
- burning and cutting pain when urinating,
- changed color of urine – urine is cloudy,
- intense urea smell,
- pain in the lower abdomen,
- feeling of a full bladder even after urinating,
- blood in the urine (in stronger and more acute forms of inflammation).
Risks for mother and child
Many women perceive urinary tract infections and inflammations as something common. However, it is necessary to realize that repeated inflammations of the urinary tract during pregnancy represent a risk not only for their health, but also endanger the fetus itself. It is proven that frequent inflammations of the urinary system or organs in the small pelvis can cause premature outflow of amniotic fluid, premature birth, or the infection can be transmitted through the placenta to the child's body. Last but not least, the symptoms of a pregnant woman cause discomfort and expose her to unnecessary stress.
Treatment with antibiotics, drinking regime and prevention
A woman who perceives symptoms indicating a possible inflammation or infection of the urinary tract should definitely not rely on the fact that only sitz baths, cranberries or urological teas will cure her, many of which are not suitable during pregnancy due to the content of unsuitable herbs. Chamomile, rapeseed or nettle tea is more suitable, the consumption of which will support the cleaning of the kidneys. If the symptoms are present for more than 24 hours, the best option is to see your doctor. If there is a positive finding in the urine, the doctor will determine the appropriate therapy. Most often, it is antibiotic treatment with suitable and safe antibiotics for pregnant women. Antibiotic treatment lasts approximately 10 to 14 days. After treatment, the doctor checks the possible presence of bacteria by repeated urine analysis. Increasing fluid intake and supporting kidney activity is very important. Thus, waste substances are effectively excreted from the body.
Prevention against the occurrence of urinary tract inflammation
And what is the prevention against urinary tract inflammation? First of all, it is a sufficient drinking regime. It is necessary that the kidneys regularly remove waste substances from the body and at the same time that the urine in the bladder is not concentrated for a long time. In this way, an environment is created for the multiplication of harmful bacteria and the emergence of infections. Pregnant women should defecate when they feel the urge to urinate and not hold back urine. Also take care of regular intimate hygiene after a big or small need. After a heavy need, you should always wipe from front to back and not the other way around. Also, wash the genital area before and after sex. The same goes for your partner. Prefer a shower instead of a bath.
The consumption of cranberries, which contain proanthocyanidins, is also recommended. They effectively reduce the ability of some bacteria to stay in the urinary tract. They are thus more easily excreted. They have a higher content of organic acids and thus eliminate the possibility of bacterial growth. Thus, various dietary supplements containing cranberry extract are suitable. The use of probiotics, which contain beneficial bacteria for the body and take care of the stomach microflora, is also generally recommended. Among other things, they have a positive effect on the vaginal environment.
Urinary tract inflammation in pregnancy - experience
Women often encounter urinary tract infections during pregnancy. The discussion posts of many women are a clear proof of this. Several women were affected by this health problem at the beginning or towards the end of pregnancy. Urinary tract infection in the first trimester is not unusual. Women agree that the inflammation needs to be treated with antibiotics prescribed by the doctor, otherwise there is a risk of the inflammation spreading or its recurrence. Some women recommend consuming cranberries, non-alcoholic beer or cranberry tea. Urological tea is often considered unsuitable due to the content of unsuitable herbs. A number of discussing women are afraid of antibiotic treatment. Other participants in the debate recommend increasing drinking and limiting the intake of acidic foods. The most common symptoms reported by women are burning when urinating, pain in the lower abdomen or dark urine.
The most frequent questions - FAQ
Are you troubled by problems with frequent urinary tract infections during pregnancy? In our article, we deal with this issue and, in addition to factual information, we also bring you several treatment options. In any case, it is important not to underestimate urinary tract infections and inflammations and to seek medical help. In pregnancy, every inflammatory process and infection pose a risk. If you have experience with the treatment of urinary tract infection or other practical tips, advice and recommendations, we would appreciate your comments. Thanks to them, you may be able to advise other pregnant women who are interested in this topic.
How does inflammation of the urinary tract manifest itself in pregnancy?
What does smelly urine in pregnancy mean?
Is urological tea suitable for urinary tract inflammation in pregnancy?
How to treat urinary tract inflammation in pregnancy?
Is a sitz bath suitable for urinary tract inflammation?
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