Urine infection prevails in pregnancy. If left neglected, some urine infections may progress to cause serious kidney infection. There are two kidneys, one on each side of the tummy (abdominal area).
They make urine which drains down tubes called ureters into the bladder. Urine is saved in the bladder. It is passed out through a tube (the urethra) which brings urine from the bladder when we go to the toilet.
What are Symptoms of a UTI When Pregnant?
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the most typical bacterial infection in adult women and the most typical medical problem of pregnancy. This suggests that the question of how to treat a UTI naturally takes place frequently with anticipating moms.
When treated rapidly and properly, UTIs seldom result in serious complications, however if left untreated, it can cause kidney infections as well as death in rare cases.
A UTI happens when bacteria goes into through the urethra and causes an infection. Usually, bacteria is gotten rid of by urination, but specific circumstances can cause an increased risk of contracting a UTI.
These situations include: sexual relations, pregnancy, urinary obstruction, virulent nature of some bacteria.
Some women with UTIs remain asymptomatic, however the most typical symptoms reported include:
- pain in your side (loin) over your kidney
- having a heat (fever)
- feeling ill (queasiness)
- being sick (vomiting)
- diarrhoea
- blood in your urine
- symptoms of cystitis as above
- feeling normally unhealthy
- shaking chills
- burning sensation during urination
- increased frequency of urination.
What Causes a UTI?
A lot of urine infections are caused by germs (bacteria) which come from your own bowel. They cause no damage in your bowel however can cause infection if they enter other parts of your body.
Some bacteria lie around your back passage (rectum) after you pass a stool (faeces). These bacteria can sometimes take a trip to your urethra and into your bladder. Some bacteria thrive in urine and increase rapidly to cause infection.
Women are more vulnerable than men to urine infections, as their urethra is shorter and opens nearer the anus. Pregnant women are also more vulnerable than non-pregnant women to urine infections.
This is partly due to the hormonal changes of pregnancy which impact the urinary tract and have the tendency to decrease the circulation of urine.
It likewise might be that the enlarged womb (uterus) presses on the bladder and avoids it draining as well. If urine does not drain rapidly from the bladder, bacteria are more able to increase and cause an infection.
Can a UTI Affect My Pregnancy?
If you have a kidney infection when you are pregnant, you can feel very weak. If left untreated, it may likewise cause problems such as early labour and/or a small baby.
A kidney infection is unusual but may develop as a complication from a bladder infection (cystitis) or from a urine infection. There may be no symptoms in the beginning (asymptomatic bacteriuria).
Urine Checks During Pregnancy
You ought to usually have your urine tested early in pregnancy. Your midwife may ask you to bring a sample in a container or sample bottle. Treatment is encouraged if any germs (bacteria) are found – even if you have no symptoms. If bacteria are discovered, you need to have regular routine urine tests throughout the pregnancy.
You should also have your urine checked if you develop symptoms of bladder infection (cystitis) or kidney infection at any stage during pregnancy.
Over the Counter Medicine for UTI During Pregnancy
Can you take over the counter medicine for a UTI while pregnant? The doctor will collect a urine sample to diagnosis if you have a UTI. The text will examine whether there is an excess existence of bacteria in the urine. The procedure is called a urinalysis.
Unfortunately, there are no natural treatments for UTIs.
Pregnancy is a condition that requires instant attention if you are thinking a urinary tract infection. Your healthcare provider will be prescribing antibiotics that are safe to take during pregnancy.
Nevertheless, you can avoid UTIs naturally or at least reduce your threats of experiencing a urinary tract infection.
Here are a number of natural steps you can take to prevent a UTI:
- Consuming fluids: if you have cystitis then having plenty to drink is standard suggestions to eliminate the bladder. However, there is no evidence that this is valuable when you have cystitis. Some medical professionals feel that it does not help, and drinking lots may just cause more (painful) toilet journeys. For that reason, it is hard to give positive recommendations on whether to drink lots or simply to drink typically when you have mild symptoms of cystitis. Nevertheless, if you have a fever and/or feel unhealthy, having plenty to drink helps to avoid lack of fluid in the body (dehydration).
- Cranberry juice: Some evidence recommends that daily intake of 100% pure cranberry juice with no extra sugar might prevent UTIs since of a possible infection-fighting property included in the juice. It is uncertain how much and how frequently one ought to drink cranberry juice to avoid UTIs. You must not drink cranberry juice if you are taking the blood-thinning medication, warfarin, as it might cause bleeding.
- Drinking a lot of water: This waters down the urine and helps eliminate bacteria that might exist.
- Avoiding beverages that might irritate the bladder: Coffee, alcohol (don’t consume alcohol, alcohol is harmful for health), and sodas including citrus juice or caffeine may aggravate your bladder and preserve extreme urinating.
- Wiping from front to back: Wiping from front to back after using the bathroom avoids bacteria from the anal region from infecting the vagina and urethra.
- Clearing your bladder not long after sexual intercourse: It is important to attempt to flush out any bacteria that may have entered the urethra by consuming a full glass of water and urinating soon after sex.
- Preventing the use of annoying feminine products: Using particular products such as deodorant sprays, douches, and powders can aggravate the urethra and cause a UTI.
What is the Treatment of a UTI When You are Pregnant?
Antibiotic Medicines
A urinary tract infection (UTI) begins when bacteria enter your bladder, kidneys, or another part of your urinary tract. The best method to treat a UTI– and to alleviate symptoms like pain, burning, and an immediate need to pee — is with antibiotics.
These medications eliminate bacteria that cause the infection. It’s crucial to take them simply as your doctor recommended. A minor UTI can develop into a serious kidney or blood infection if you don’t.
There are several various types of antibiotic that can help. Your doctor will pick the type more than likely to help you. A seven-day course of an antibiotic is the normal treatment. Any symptoms will typically improve within a few days.
Which antibiotic you get and for how long you take it depend on two things: what sort of bacteria caused your infection and how severe your UTI is.
Which antibiotic will work best? Your doctor will take a urine sample to confirm that you have a UTI. Then the laboratory will grow the bacteria in a dish for a few days to learn which type of bacteria you have.
This is called a culture. It’ll inform your doctor what type of germs caused your infection. He’ll likely recommend one of the following antibiotics to treat it prior to the culture returns:
- Ciprofloxacin.
- Ampicillin.
- Cephalexin.
- Ceftriaxone.
- Fosfomycin.
- Levofloxacin.
- Nitrofurantoin.
- Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole.
Which medication and dosage you get depends upon whether your infection is complicated or straightforward.
“Uncomplicated” suggests your urinary tract is typical. “Complicated” indicates you have a disease or issue with your urinary tract. You might have a narrowing of your ureters, which are the tubes that bring urine from your kidneys to your bladder. Or, you may have an obstruction like a kidney stone or a bigger prostate (in men).
To treat a complicated infection, your doctor might prescribe a greater dosage of antibiotics. If your UTI is severe or the infection is in your kidneys, you may need to be treated in a hospital or doctor’s workplace with high-dose antibiotics you make it through an IV.
Your doctor will likewise consider these factors when picking an antibiotic:
- Are you pregnant?
- Are you over age 65?
- Are you allergic to any antibiotics?
- Have you had any side effects from antibiotics in the past?
However, it is very important that you finish the course of antibiotics. The choice of antibiotic used may be different when you are pregnant. The antibiotics used to treat urine infections in pregnant women are safe to take in pregnancy. They will not damage your baby.
You ought to see a doctor if your symptoms do not go, or if you feel worse after a few days. Some bacteria (bacteria) are resistant to some antibiotics. This can be recognized from tests done on the urine sample. A change of antibiotic is needed if the germs is found to be resistant to the first antibiotic.
Note: this is a little bit various to the treatment of bladder infection (cystitis) in non-pregnant women. Not having any treatment is an alternative in non-pregnant women, as cystitis typically goes without treatment (only by the Will of Allah). This website is for info just and NOT an alternative to expert diagnosis and treatment!
You need to do a further sample of urine when you have completed your antibiotics. This will examine the infection has actually been treated correctly.
Painkillers
Paracetamol will usually reduce any pain, discomfort, or heat (fever).
Read more about OTC pain medications.
Health Tips
When treated properly, UTIs seldom development to something more serious (such as chronic renal disease); nevertheless, if you believe you may have a UTI, it is essential to take appropriate steps to eradicate the infection as rapidly as possible to prevent additional complications.
