UTI (Urinary Tract Infection) during Pregnancy

UTIs are generally caused by bacteria from your skin, vagina, or rectum that enter your urethra and travel upstream. In pregnant women, hormones cause changes in the urinary tract, which predispose women to infections. In addition, a growing uterus presses on the bladder, preventing the complete emptying of urine. This stagnant urine is a likely source of infection. Untreated, these infections may lead to kidney infections. Urinary tract and kidney infections in pregnant women should be treated to prevent complications. A kidney infection may cause serious consequences for your unborn baby. This will increase your risk to preterm labor and having a low-birth-weight baby, and it has been linked to an increased risk of fetal or newborn mortality.

Asymptomatic bacteriuria is another type of UTI. It's possible to have bacteria in your urinary tract and have no symptoms. This is known as asymptomatic bacteriuria. During pregnancy, asymptomatic bacteriuria that's left untreated significantly increases your risk of getting a kidney infection. This is one reason your urine is routinely tested during pregnancy.

How Do I Know If I Have a UTI? 

  • Abdominal pain in the area over the bladder (above the pubic bone)
  • Feeling an urgent need to urinate or frequent urination 
  • Having difficulty urinating 
  • Having a burning sensation or cramps in the lower back or lower abdomen 
  • Having a burning sensation during urination 
  • Urine that looks cloudy or has an odor
Pregnant women may not have any symptoms of infection, so their urine should be checked during their regular prenatal doctor visits.

How Can I Avoid Getting UTI?

  • Drink at least eight glasses of water a day. 
  • Wipe yourself from front to back. 
  • Avoid strong feminine deodorants or soaps. 
  • Change feminine pads often. 
  • Wear cotton underwear. 
  • Take showers instead of baths. 
  • Avoid tight-fitting clothing.

Source:

"Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) and Pregnancy." WebMD. WebMD, n.d. Web.
"Urinary Tract Infections during Pregnancy | BabyCenter." BabyCenter. N.p., n.d. Web.

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