What is a Urinary Tract Infection?
A UTI or urinary tract infection is an infection of the urinary system. UTIs are one of the most common infections that women develop during pregnancy.
During pregnancy, a woman’s body is subjected to a number of changes that increase the risk of encountering a urinary tract infection. During pregnancy the uterus expands to accommodate the growing fetus. There is an increased pressure on the bladder and the ureter as the baby grows, which can reduce the flow of urine and lead to an infection. Ureter are tubes carrying urine from the kidneys to the bladder.
Women tend to get UTIs whether they are pregnant or not. However, pregnant women are more likely to develop recurrent or severe infections. If left untreated, a UTI could be harmful for a pregnant woman and a developing fetus.
Symptoms of UTI
The symptoms of a UTI during a pregnancy are mostly similar to those that you might experience at any other time. They include
- An urgent need to pee or peeing more than usual
- Cloudy urine or urine that has an odour
- Trouble when peeing
- Pelvic or lower back pain
- Nausea or vomiting
- A burning sensation when you pass urine
- Fever
Causes of UTI
When bacteria enter the urinary tract and multiply, they cause a UTI. However, there wre several other factors that increase one’s risk of developing an infection
- Your bladder might not empty completely if you have weak pelvic floor muscles. This can lead to an infection.
- Diabetic women are at a greater risk of developing UTI. The sugar in their urine causes the bacteria to multiply faster
- Beiny sexually active leads the bacteria around the genital area and entering the urinary tract through the uterthra
Does it Pose Any Harm to Baby?
UTIs during pregnancy cause high blood pressure or hypertension which may lead to a premature birth and a smaller baby. For this reason, if you are not having any symptoms, it is still crucial to get your UTI treated as early as possible.
How is a UTI Diagnosed?
A sample of the urine is taken which us checked in a laboratory for bacteria. Your doctor may also conduct a physical examination if they suspect you have a UTI.
Pregnant women are offered urine tests during the antenatal visits. Your doctor may ask you to repeat tests if you have a history of UTIs, have recurrent infections or are at a high risk of developing a UTI.
Can UTIs Be Prevented?
The risk of developing a UTI can be reduced by,
- Drinking plenty of fluids, especially water
- Quickly getting treatment for any vaginal infections for example thrush or any sexually transmitted infection
- Avoiding constipation
- Avoiding the use of harsh soaps or body wash in the genital area
- Avoiding douches or perfumes in the genital area
Some women have also reported finding these tips helpful
- Urinating right after sexual intercourse
- Go to the toilet as soon as you feel the need- don’t delay going to the toilet
- Wipe from front to back after cleaning up after attending the toilet
- Wearing breathable cotton underwear
Treatment of UTIs During Pregnancy
Your doctor will prescribe antibiotics that are safe to use in pregnancy. You will be instructed to drink plenty of water to flush out the bacteria from your system. Your doctor will advice you to pee after sexual activity and practice proper hygiene and care.
In case your UTI has progressed to a kidney infection, your doctor may give you a stronger antibiotic or have an intravenous (IV) administered
Treatment At Home
A UTI during pregnancy needs to be addressed promptly and brought to the attention of a doctor. However, there are also certain measures or remedies that women can do to lessen the severity of the symptoms and speed up recovery,
- Drinking plenty of water: Water helps in flushing out toxins and bacteria from the body.
- Drinking cranberry juice: According to various researches, cranberry prevents bacteria from attaching to the lining of the urinary tract. Thus preventing and eliminating infection.
- Urinating when the urge arises: Urinating when feeling the urge helps bacteria to pass out the urinary tract
Some women will prefer to follow the above mentioned at-home treatment alternatives but it’s best and recommended to check with a doctor. A doctor will monitor the pregnancy and devise a treatment plan accordingly also ensuring that the UTI doesn’t worsen or spread to the kidneys.
Complications:
If treatment is delayed or the symptoms ignored, a UTI can worsen and cause serious complications during pregnancy. The complications may include,
- Kidney infection
- Premature birth
- Sepsis
A baby born to a woman with UTI left untreated will have a low birth weight.
Serious complications may result if a UTI spreads to the kidneys such as,
- Anemia
- High blood pressure or hypertension
- Preeclampsia
- Breakdown of red blood cells
- Low blood platelet count
- Acute respiratory distress syndrome
UTIs are treatable with prompt medical intervention and care and complications can be hence avoided.
