Urinary Tract Infection In Pregnancy: Many changes will occur in a woman's body. And those changes need to be adjusted so that it can be easy to look after the everyday conditions of your health.
UTI is commonly seen in pregnant and nonpregnant women, but it causes severe complications like increases in the risk of pre-term birth, low-weight birth, and more.
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Go through the article to check the complete information about this UTI in Pregnancy, and learn how not to get UTI, and what to do if you see symptoms of UTI.
- What is UTI During Pregnancy Third Trimester
- What are the Different Types of Urinary Tract Infection During Pregnancy
- Asymptomatic UTI
- Cystitis UTI
- Pyelonephritis UTI
- UTI While Pregnant Symptoms
- Why Are UTIs Common In Pregnancy
- Common Causes of UTI During Pregnancy
- Complications of UTI During Pregnancy
- How To Prevent Urinary Tract Infection During Pregnancy
- Treatment For Urinary Tract Infection
- Can UTI affect the baby in the third trimester?
- What is the fastest way to cure UTI in pregnancy?
- In which trimesters these UTIs is common in pregnancy?
What is UTI During Pregnancy Third Trimester
UTI is a Urinary Tract Infection that will be in the Urinary System because of some bacteria. It can be seen in both pregnant and non-pregnant women, but mostly there is a high chance of getting UTI in pregnancy.
Because, during pregnancy, your bladder cannot be able to empty all the urine you have at that time, there will be a high chance of Urinary Tract Infection. And if you neglect it without taking medicines that will increase the risk of pre-term birth, fetal loss, and more.
Urinary Tract Infection does not only occur in the urinary system but also occurs in different parts which include the kidneys and bladder.
What are the Different Types of Urinary Tract Infection During Pregnancy
UTI occurs commonly in pregnant women due to bacteria that form in the Urinary Tract. This UTI in pregnancy has three different types which are addressed below.
- Asymptomatic UTI
- Cystitis UTI
- Pyelonephritis UTI
Recent studies have estimated that most of the infections in pregnancy are caused in the Urinary tract and lead to Cystitis UTI & Pyelonephritis UTIs.
Not only these three there are additional risks that include immunosuppression, sickle cell anemia, Neurogenic bladder, and late presentation for prenatal care.
Check On: Pregnancy Week By Week
Asymptomatic UTI
Asymptomatic Bacteria in pregnant women are in the Urinary tract of 10000 organisms per milliliter of urine. But you cannot see any symptoms in 7% of women.
Usually, your midwife will check for this ASB through Urine test in the first trimester. If you do not treat this bacteria it may lead to Cystitis UTI and Pyelonephritis UTI.
That is the reason your doctor will provide you with the medication even though you dont find it.
Cystitis UTI
Acute Cystitis UTI causes in the Lower Urinary Tract, caused due to infection and noninfection. It shows symptoms like frequent urination, strong urges to urinate immediately, and also urination causes pain.
This Lower urinary tract infection becomes complicated due to Upper Urinary tract infection in 15-50% of cases.
Pyelonephritis UTI
This Pyelonephritis UTI is an upper urinary tract infection in which you see the infection in the kidney. You can see this infection in 2 % of women in pregnancy.
This kidney infection may lead to severe causes of anemia, excess lung fluid, septic shock, nausea, vomiting, frequent urination, fever, chills, and also pre-term labor.
Mostly you can see this infection in the second and third trimesters.
UTI While Pregnant Symptoms | UTI Symptoms In Pregnancy
If you are having an Urinary Tract Infection, you may look at the common symptoms that we can see below. And these may be very similar to the symptoms in pregnancy, but do check out them.
- You always feel Urgency in Urination.
- Your Urine will look bloody, and cloudy, and even you get a very bad smell.
- Also, feel discomfort while Urination like pain. Not only while Urination, but even you feel pain during sexual intercourse.
- There will be a change in the amount of urination in more or less.
- You feel cramps or pain in the lower abdomen.
- Pressure, and pain in the bladder area.
Along with these symptoms, if your infection moves to the kidney, you may feel nausea, vomiting, and fever.
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Why Are UTIs Common In Pregnancy
As we have discussed, we are saying that urinary tract infections are widespread in pregnancy everywhere, but what is the reason behind it? Let us discuss those reasons below.
- The most common reason to get this Urinary Tract Infection during pregnancy is due to changes in hormones.
- Also, in pregnancy, there will be high amounts of sugars, different types of hormones, and protein which can lead to UTIs.
- Changes in hormones also cause a condition where your Urine flows back up to the bladder and enters into the kidneys, which leads to upper UTI.
- Even due to left over-urine in the bladder causes UTI, urine will be left over due to the increase of the uterus.
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Common Causes of UTI During Pregnancy
The urinary tract is normally free of bacteria. But in, the case any bacteria are entering into your urinary tract, they will multiply and cause you infection. Look at the causes below.
- If you have problems emptying the bladder may cause the problem.
- Even while your partner inserts pennies, you may get the infection.
- Even if you have diabetes, there will be a chance of getting an infection as you have sugar levels in your urine.
Many changes that occur in your body during pregnancy may cause Urinary Tract Infections from urine to the immune system.
Do Refer: Urine Test for Preeclampsia
Complications of UTI During Pregnancy
Many of you might be thinking about what will happen once we get a UTI in pregnancy. Well here are some complications that are provided to you below.
- Preterm Labor
- Severe Infection
- Anemia
- Long Term Infection
- Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome
How To Prevent Urinary Tract Infection During Pregnancy
By reading all the stuff above, above dont worry, about thinking that cannot be prevented, it can be prevented by taking some care yourself. Let us know what is in the below points.
- Even though if you are pregnant or not avoid tight-fitting pants.
- Drink plenty of water like 8 glasses a day.
- When you go to the bathroom, wipe yourself from front to back to avoid bacteria. Even do this when you urinate.
- Change your underwear and panty every day.
- Do a bath twice a day and dont soak in water for more than 30 minutes.
- Immediately urinate after sex. Also, empty your bladder before sex.
- Avoid sprays and powders in that area as it is very sensitive.
- Try to use cotton underwear for the best result.
- Do not use strong odor soaps or chemical-based soaps.
- Dont stop urination for more long time, just use the washroom immediately when you need and empty the bladder completely.
- Avoid drinks that are high in caffeine, alcohol, and chemicals.
Read More | Miscarriage in Pregnancy
Treatment For Urinary Tract Infection
In pregnancy, if you have symptoms the doctor will provide you antibiotics without harming your pregnancy. Even if you dont have the symptoms of UTI during pregnancy, your doctor will give you antibiotics to not get UTI during pregnancy.
They prescribe antibiotics for 3-7 days for intercourse, by that even your symptoms of Urinary Tract Infection will go away. But if in case still, you can see the bacteria, your doctor may provide you with regular antibiotics during your pregnancy and do a urine test every few weeks.
Using the following antibiotics can be considered the safest way among other safe UTI treatments during pregnancy. They include:
- Amoxicillin / clavulanic acid (Augmentin)
- Cephalosporins
- Fosfomycin
- Nitrofurantoin
Kindly consult the doctor before taking any of the antibiotics during pregnancy, as they may cause any effects to the mother or baby in the future.
FAQs on UTI during Pregnancy Third Trimester
1. Can UTI affect the baby in the third trimester?
It might not be if you identify the UTI early and take the treatment accordingly.
2. What is the fastest way to cure UTI in Pregnancy?
The fastest way to cure UTI during pregnancy is by taking the doctor's prescribed antibiotics for 3-7 days.
3. In which trimesters these UTIs is common in pregnancy?
The first and second trimesters are the common trimesters that we get in UTI.
Conclusion
Hope you have got the right & complete information in our UTI during pregnancy article. Be careful in your pregnancy period by taking the precautions you can happily prevent UTI. By this information, ask your doctor about this and take the test if needed if you see any symptoms.
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