Kidney disease can be a major problem in our lives. Because they are part of an extremely important system for the proper functioning of our bodies, the kidneys end up being one of the weakest organs and often require strong medication or even surgery. The situation changes completely when we talk about kidney disease in pregnancy. Since this involves a woman carrying another life, the consequences that this problem can bring are many, and there are also complications regarding treatment, since some types of medications are contraindicated for pregnant women. But although it is a complicated situation, it is possible to treat and ensure that kidney disease in pregnancy is not as much trouble as it seems. However, for that to happen, some measures need to be taken.

What is Kidney Disease?

Kidney disease affects both men and women and occurs when the kidneys begin to lose their ability to balance and remove fluids from the body. Kidney disease in pregnancy can appear as an acute condition or even as a chronic one. This disease may present several symptoms such as:

Symptoms of Kidney Problems

  • Swelling in the legs
  • Constant weakness
  • Persistent lower back pain
  • Difficulty when urinating
  • Frequent vomiting
  • Frequent nausea
  • Kidney stones

It’s easy to imagine why problems can arise for women who have kidney disease and end up getting pregnant, or who develop this disease after becoming pregnant. All these symptoms can be very harmful not only to the woman’s body but also to the development of the baby. But it is important to note right away that women who suffer from chronic kidney disease can plan a pregnancy, but various precautions must be taken. We will talk about this further on.

Can Women with Kidney Problems Get Pregnant?

This is one of the most frequently asked questions on the subject for an obvious reason. Many women want to become pregnant but still suffer from this type of problem. So how do you deal with this situation? First, it must be said that, as long as all of a woman’s reproductive functions are working, it is perfectly possible to become pregnant. The problem is that women with kidney problems may end up with their condition getting worse during pregnancy, which can also affect the pregnancy itself. First, because kidney disease causes various hormonal changes, as does pregnancy, which can end up being very harmful for the woman, since pregnancy alone is already a major change. The most advisable thing, therefore, is to first treat the kidney disease and then try to become pregnant, so you don’t have to deal with both issues at the same time. But there are cases of chronic kidney disease where, even with treatment, there are still symptoms and risks. And besides that, there are also cases where kidney disease develops after the woman is already pregnant.

The Effects of Pregnancy on Kidney Function

Increases in hormones such as progesterone, for example, can impair kidney function. This means the disease is much more likely to get worse, especially since several medications are contraindicated during pregnancy. In general, we can say that pregnancy tends to have a negative effect on kidney disease and tends to make it worse, but even so, this is something that can be managed, as you have already read here.

Treatment for Kidney Disease in Pregnancy

Treatment for kidney disease during pregnancy needs to be handled carefully and always taking into consideration the baby the woman is carrying. But even with pregnancy, some conventional kidney disease treatments can still be done, but of course always with extra caution. Hemodialysis, for example, which is often necessary, cannot be replaced by anything else and, for this reason, it needs to be continued so the woman’s health does not worsen. Hypertension treatment must also continue, but the medications that are contraindicated in pregnancy will need to be modified. Although these measures are demanding on the woman, they are necessary to ensure a successful pregnancy. Another important part of the treatment is monitoring the fetus at all times, to check for any changes or to see if it is being affected in any way by the procedures.

Consequences of Kidney Disease in Pregnancy

Suffering from kidney disease during pregnancy can be very harmful for a woman, as it can get worse as the pregnancy progresses. That is why it is necessary to know what stage the disease is in, to know how to handle it throughout the pregnancy. Kidney disease stages are classified from 1 to 5, with 1 being the least severe and 5 being the most. In the last stage, hemodialysis may be necessary. Despite all these difficulties, a woman with kidney disease can indeed plan for pregnancy. However, it is extremely important to have good medical supervision at every step, so the doctor can recommend everything necessary and advise the woman as needed, especially when it comes to the progression of kidney disease during pregnancy. Suffering from kidney disease during pregnancy may not be the ideal way to go through pregnancy, but if it happens, the best thing to do is stay calm and follow the correct treatment strictly. That way, you can avoid the worst consequences of this disease and, even though there may be tough moments, your pregnancy can be healthy, calm, and especially safe for your baby, which is the most important thing of all. There is no need to despair, because even though there are tough moments, having kidney disease during pregnancy is not the end of the world and it is something that can definitely be controlled. Also read: Bell’s Palsy: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Photo: GGOMANG