All About Urinary Tract Infection In Pregnancy
Urinary Tract Infection is a common bacterial infection that pregnant women suffer from. A UTI is more common among pregnant women. The infection is caused when bacteria enter the urinary tract through the urethra. It is a common infection in women as bacteria from the vagina or the rectal area can get to the urinary tract.
Treatment is essential for a UTI, especially during pregnancy, as the infection can lead to bigger issues. If left untreated, the infection will continue to spread and may cause complications in your pregnancy. You should consult a gynecologist in at Cocoon Hospital if you are pregnant and may have a Urinary Tract Infection.
Is It Common To Get UTI During Pregnancy?
Urinary Tract Infections are quite common during later stages of pregnancy. This is because the fetus continues to grow in size and puts pressure on the bladder and the urinary tract. This extra pressure can sometimes cause the bacteria to get stuck in the tract.
Another reason behind UTI during pregnancy is the frequent urge to urinate due to the excess pressure on the bladder. This can cause a small amount of urine to leak and lead to a UTI.
The concentration of the urine is also increased during pregnancy, which can be a reason behind the UTI. Moreover, in the first trimester of the pregnancy, the urinary tract starts to increase in size and can lead to urine stillness that can cause the infection.
Causes Of UTI During Pregnancy
The main causes of UTI during pregnancy are –
- Increased pressure on the bladder leads to frequent urination and urine leaks.
- Pressure on the ureters, the tubes that carry urine from the bladder to the urethra. This can lead to urinary stillness and bacteria accumulation.
- During pregnancy, the urine becomes less acidic and has a higher concentration of hormones and sugar that provide a suitable environment for the bacteria to grow in.
- UTIs after giving birth are also common as the risk of bacteria entering the urinary tract is increased significantly.
- Post-labor, many women have sensitive bladder and swelling in the pelvic region which can result in a UTI.
Symptoms Of UTI During Pregnancy
UTI during pregnancy has some symptoms that can be identified. Some of these common symptoms are –
- Frequent urge to pee (however, this can be due to your pregnancy alone)
- Blood while urinating
- Sharp pain in the pelvic and lower back area.
- Burning sensation while urinating
- Cloudy urine with a strong smell
If you suffer from one or more of these symptoms of UTI, you should go to one of the top labor and delivery hospitals and get a checkup. They will be equipped to deal with UTI during pregnancy and can help you get rid of the infection.
Diagnosis Of UTI During Pregnancy
When you go for a checkup for UTI during pregnancy, your doctor will do a physical checkup. You will also be asked to provide a urine sample that will be tested for the presence of bacteria. The urine sample will also be checked for white blood cells and red blood cells. The presence of the blood cells may indicate a larger problem such as kidney disease or infection.
A urine culture may also be done to know what kind of bacteria is present in the urine sample. Once diagnosed, your doctor will prescribe a course of treatment that will be harmless for you and the baby.
Risks Of UTI During Pregnancy
UTI during pregnancy can lead to other serious complications such as kidney disease, kidney infection, sepsis, and even premature birth of the baby. Therefore, treatment is necessary for a healthy pregnancy.
Kidney infection can also cause anemia, high blood pressure, low blood platelet count, bacteria in the blood, and other complications that are not safe for the baby. Research has also shown that babies born to women who have UTIs during birth have lower than average weight.
Treatment For UTI During Pregnancy
If you are having any symptoms which indicate that you may have a UTI, you should immediately go to your doctor and get a check-up done. If you have an infection, your urine sample will indicate the presence of bacteria. You might require a three-to-five-day course of treatment to get rid of the UTI.
Your doctor will prescribe medicines that are safe for pregnancy. The common medicines that are prescribed for UTI during pregnancy are ampicillin, amoxicillin, and cephalosporins. You should avoid taking nitrofurantoin and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole for UTI during pregnancy. If left untreated, you can develop a kidney infection which will require treatment in the hospital to monitor your health and your pregnancy.
To know more about it, contact a gynecologist at Cocoon Hospital.