Urinary Tract Infections during Pregnancy

Urinary tract infection can be risky for pregnant women if not treated on time. Learn about the causes and symptoms of Urinary tract infection during pregnancy and find tips for preventing it.Urinary tract infections or UTIs are fairly common among most women during pregnancy. Imbalance of hormones during this phase can cause changes in the urinary tract that could lead to infections. If these infections are left untreated, these might lead to more serious health complications kidney infections or even premature labour.To prevent such major complications and potential harm to you and your child, it’s important to be aware of the likelihood of urinary tract infections in pregnancy and how to manage them. In this articleWhat Are the Possible Causes of Urinary Tract Infection in Pregnant Women?What Are Some Symptoms Experienced During a Urinary Tract Infection?What to Do if You Have a Urinary Tract Infection?&How is a Urinary Tract Infection Treated? How Can I Prevent a Urinary Tract Infection During Pregnancy?What Are the Possible Causes of Urinary Tract Infection in Pregnant Women?During pregnancy, your body produces higher levels of the hormone, Progesterone, to help you adapt to the changes during this phase. However, this hormone is also responsible for decreasing muscle tone of the uterus causing them to dilate, leading to slow production of urine. Moreover, as your uterus enlarges with every semester, it might start to compress your uterus, making it harder for you to urinate as compared to before.Your bladders soon becomes more prone to a reflux condition, a phenomenon where some part of your urine can flow back up the uterus towards your kidneys, making it a possible cause for urinary tract infections. Additionally, during pregnancy your urine is more basic in nature and can contain glucose, both of which promote bacterial growth and breeding. If left untreated, these urinary tract infections could significantly increase your risk of getting a kidney related disorder or birth related complications such as premature labour and low birth weight.What Are Some Symptoms Experienced During a Urinary Tract Infection?If you have a urinary tract infection during pregnancy, you may experience one or more of these symptoms:Change in the amount of urine (might increase or decrease significantly)Pain or burning sensation while urinatingCloudy urine with foul or unusually stronger smellPresence of blood or mucus in urineIncontinence (leaking of urine)Back pain, fever, chills and night sweatsTenderness, redness or pain in the lower abdomenWhat to Do if You Have a Urinary Tract Infection?If you are experiencing more than one symptom mentioned above, you are likely to have a urinary tract infection. In this case, you should seek immediate medical advice. Your physician can test your urine culture to check what kind of bacteria might be responsible for your urinary tract infection. Due to common occurrences of urinary tract infection in pregnant women, National Health Service now recommends that all pregnant women should be regularly checked for “asymptomatic” urinary tract infections and given immediate treatment if required.How is a Urinary Tract Infection Treated? Urinary tract infections can be safely treated in pregnancy. Doctors usually prescribe a 3-5 day course of antibiotics that are safe for you and your baby and treat your urinary tract infections in less than seven days. Seek your physician’s help if you still experience symptoms like fever, night sweats, chills and discomfort during urination after completing your antibiotic course. How Can I Prevent a Urinary Tract Infection During Pregnancy?There are a few simple tips you can use to decrease your chances of acquiring a urinary tract infection during your pregnancy:Staying hydrated and drinking at least 6-7 glasses of water each dayRegularly taking essential vitamins such as Vitamin C, Beta Carotene and Zinc supplements as advised by your doctorKeeping your genital area cleanAvoiding intake of refined or processed foods or liquids (especially which contain excessive sugar)Wearing comfortable underwear and avoiding use of harsh soaps, douches or feminine hygiene sprays that can cause infectionUrinating as soon as you feel the need to empty your bladder (to reduce incontinence)When treated in time, urinary tract infections do not cause any serious health complication. With proper care and medical help, you can reduce your chances of acquiring a urinary tract infection during pregnancy.What are the causes of urinary tract infection during pregnancy? How to prevent urinary tract infection or UTI during pregnancy? What are the common symptoms of urinary tract infection? Discuss here.