Although during pregnancy we can continue with our normal life and routine if the doctor tells us that everything is going well, we must be aware of any rare symptoms and go to our medical check-ups.
In pregnancy, from time to time gynecologists ask us for a urine test. They do this to ensure that we do not have a urinary tract infection, because if it is not treated properly, they could have consequences. I share what are the symptoms and ways to prevent them.
What is a urinary tract infection?
Urinary tract infection is the most frequent infection during pregnancy, since between 4 and 10% of pregnant women suffer from it.
There are different types of urinary infections, as the urinary tract starts from the kidneys to the urethra, and infection can occur anywhere in them. One of them is the cystitis or bladder infection, which is usually common in women who are between 20 and 50 years old and are sexually active. Another, which is more serious than cystitis, is the kidney infection, also called pyelonephritis.
There is also a third type of infection called Asymptomatic bacteriuria, in which you have no symptoms. If left untreated, it can increase the risk of infection in the kidneys, causing premature delivery, low birth weight or even perinatal mortality.
Why are they so common during pregnancy?
During pregnancy the possibility of suffering from a urine infection increases due to various factors:
- The high level of the hormone progesterone relaxes the muscle tone of the ureters, the tubes that communicate kidneys and bladders, causing urine flow is slower.
- The bladder loses muscle tone during pregnancy, so it is more difficult to empty it completely when you go to the bathroom, which can make you prone to reflux, which is when the urine rises back to the kidneys.
Consequently, it takes more time for urine to travel through the urinary tract and exit, which can cause the bacteria multiply and cause an infection.
What are the symptoms?
Although as in everything related to pregnancy the symptoms can vary in each woman and also vary according to the infection. In the case of cystitis or bladder infection, the symptoms include are the following:
- Pain, discomfort or burning when urinating.
- Pain or burning during sexual intercourse.
- Pelvic discomfort or pain in the lower belly.
- Very frequent or uncontrollable need to urinate, even when there is little urine in the bladder.
- Cloudy or smelly urine. There may also be blood in the urine.
In the case of a kidney infection Symptoms include:
- High fever, which can be accompanied by chills, tremors or sweats.
- Pain in the lower back or on the side below the ribs. It can be on one or both sides, or also on the abdomen.
- Nausea and vomiting
Symptoms of bladder infection may also appear. It is important to mention that if you suffer from some of the symptoms of kidney infection you should seek medical attention immediately.
The usual way to treat a urinary tract infection is oral antibiotics, so you should follow your doctor's instructions and complete the treatment to make sure you have eliminated all the bacteria. In the case of infection in the kidneys, you will probably be admitted to the hospital to closely monitor you and your baby, as this type of infection increases the chance of having a premature delivery.
How can we prevent a urinary tract infection?
Although there is no way to prevent a 100% urinary tract infection, you can reduce the chance of getting one with the following recommendations:
- Drink a lot of water. Although surely in pregnancy you go to the bathroom much more frequently than before, it is very important that you do not deprive yourself of drinking water. The increase in fluids helps increase the amount of urine, which helps cleanse the body of toxins.
- Don't put up with the desire to go to the bathroom. Even if you feel that you could be the 100 meter champion in the bathroom, it is extremely important that you urinate frequently and make sure you completely empty your bladder when doing so.
- Taking care of intimate hygiene during pregnancy is very important. Keep the genital area clean with mild soap and water, avoid feminine hygiene products and strong soaps. These could irritate the urethra and genitals, making them an ideal place for bacteria to grow. Remember that douching should not be used during pregnancy.
- Clean your genital area before and after having sex.
- Take cranberry. According to the Center for Research on Phytotherapy and the Spanish Society of Gynecology and Obstetrics (SEGO) the intake of the American cranberry can reduce episodes of urine infections in half, so its use is recommended to treat recurrent urine infections, since it enhances the diuretic capacity of the organism.
Remember that at the first symptom of a possible infection in the urine you should call or see your doctor so that they do the necessary analyzes and prescribe the appropriate treatment.
