A Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) is a bacterial infection that enters your body through the urethra, kidneys, and bladder from outside. Anyone of you may suffer from Urinary Tract Infection, but if you are pregnant, UTI becomes a greater cause of concern. After all your body undergoes rapid hormonal changes during pregnancy.
How Many Types of UTIs Are There During Pregnancy?
Thanks to the pressure on the uterus as well as the soaring pregnancy hormone that there are few chances that the bladder will be completely empty while your little one is cuddled up inside your womb. Adding on to these, the more urine may stay in your bladder, the higher will be chances of bacterial growth. This gives rise to three types of pregnancy UTIs including:
Asymptomatic
Almost 7% of you may not experience any symptoms as result of this UTI. An untreated asymptomatic UTI may pass it down to the bladder as well as the kidneys.
Cystitis
This infection occurs in the bladder and may be associated with frequent urination, pain as well as a strong urge to pee.
Pyelonephritis
This is mainly a kidney infection that might include symptoms like nausea, fever, and pain in your lower back.
What are the Symptoms of Urinary Tract Infection During Pregnancy?
With the progression of your pregnancy, you might be at a high risk of Urinary Tract Infection (UTI). Indeed! It is common for you to get infected by the 6th week. However, as you step into the 24thweek, your uterus has expanded and the risk of urine infection has already risen.
2% and 10% of you during your pregnancy may be affected by Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) symptoms.
In fact, some of you who’ve suffered from UTI earlier are more susceptible to experiencing it during pregnancy.
Not just that!
This may be your second or third pregnancy, suffering from UTI for you is not uncommon.
Therefore, as a result of a urinary infection, you may experience:
- Burning or pain while you are urinating
- Pain in the lower part of the abdomen
- Signs of blood or mucus in the urine
- When the bacteria spreads to the kidneys you suffer from back pain. You might also be feeling cold or hot, feverish, as well as nauseous.
- Urine leakage or Urine incontinence is not uncommon
- There might be some change in the urine – could be more or less
- The urine might appear cloudy and smelly
Can Urinary Tract Infection Affect Your Baby in Your Womb?
If pregnancy UTI is left untreated, you and your baby might be at the risk of:
- Developing high blood pressure,
- Your baby may be born early and
- Your baby may also be born smaller than usual.
To avoid suffering from UTI, you must not miss the doctor’s appointment as your healthcare provider will take the urine sample to check the bacteria, and offer you ways to treat it.
So, What Are the Treatment Options Available For UTI in Pregnancy?
If you happen to get such symptoms, you should immediately consult the doctor. The healthcare provider can give you a few pregnancy-safe antibiotics for the treatment. He or she will give you medicines for a course of 3 to 7 days.
Your healthcare provider might also suggest you some natural remedies and that may include:
- Drinking 6 to 8 glasses of water
- Saying “No” to caffeine, alcohol and sugar
- Include Vitamin C, Beta Carotene and Zinc
- Urinate as soon as you feel the need to empty your bladder
- Try to keep your genital area clean
- Use strong soaps and antiseptic creams
- Wear all-cotton underwear
