During pregnancy, a lot of care is needed and one of the biggest concerns is urinary tract infection. A urinary tract infection during pregnancy can be scary and cause pain for the pregnant woman. What to do, how to detect it, what the symptoms are, and how to treat it are common questions and whenever there are doubts about the topic, so let’s try to understand it better?
Author’s Experience
Well, in my 3 pregnancies I had cystitis, the well-known and most popularly called urinary tract infection1, and look, the last one during Melissa’s pregnancy was the worst in terms of symptoms because it was the one where I felt the most pain related to the infection; when I was pregnant with Joana I had it throughout the pregnancy and it caused several problems. That was a mistake on my part and on the doctor’s part as well because he said it was normal to have an urge to urinate more often. It is very common for pregnant women to have urinary tract infections, the body becomes more vulnerable because the whole immune system is more sensitive, however, you must stay alert!
Why Urinary Tract Infections Happen During Pregnancy
Urinary tract infection is caused by bacteria growing in the bladder. Women’s urinary tracts are more susceptible to these bacteria and, on top of that, pregnancy increases body temperature making the environment warmer and more humid—ideal for them to grow. Whenever you have a bowel movement, try to wash yourself instead of just wiping; bacteria from feces are the most common cause of urinary tract infection during pregnancy and outside of it as well, so girls, it’s a good idea to use the hand shower or even take a bath after a bowel movement2. Make sure your bladder is completely empty; leftover urine in the bladder can also help cause infection. Covering the genital area with lycra panties, pants, shorts made with thick fabrics, and holding in urine for too long can promote the development of these infections. Try to always wear cotton underwear and whenever possible, sleep without panties to keep the genital area ventilated.
How to Identify a Urinary Tract Infection During Pregnancy
- Pain in the lower abdomen, sometimes accompanied by a feeling of contractions (I honestly felt like I was going to give birth, that’s how strong the pain was)
- Unpleasant smell in your underwear and a weird feeling of dampness
- A need to urinate, and when you try, not much comes out, just a few drops
- Sometimes a woman may have a fever
A doctor talking a bit more about the urinary tract
How to Treat a Urinary Tract Infection During Pregnancy
Treatment is a step further. First, your doctor will order a urinalysis and along with it, should also do a urine culture. If they don’t mention it, then ask them about it. This test is super important to identify which bacteria caused the infection. After that the doctor will prescribe the appropriate antibiotic, and for pregnant women it is often Cephalexin3, as it is a very safe antibiotic for pregnant women. To help with the treatment, drink plenty and plenty of fluids—water, coconut water, natural juices if possible—and avoid acidic juices like pineapple and lemon. Always take the medication at the correct time and stick to the treatment duration. Remember that a urinary tract infection during pregnancy can cause several problems including miscarriage or premature birth, and, as happened to me, it can even infect the baby. It’s really easy to confuse the symptoms because pregnant women usually urinate more often, but be alert to pain and the other symptoms described above. Taking care of yourself at this time is necessary and any unusual pain you feel is definitely a reason to see your doctor. See also: Mucous Plug, how to identify it.
