Overview
The health of your urinary tract during pregnancy is important for your overall well being and your baby’s. It is essential that you avoid getting urinary tract infections (UTI), which can be serious and potentially affect the health of your baby.
People with weakened immune systems, including people with HIV and those on long-term chemotherapy and other chronic medications, are more likely to get a UTI. Older women are also at risk because their bodies are more likely to be at risk of bacterial vaginosis and other causes of urinary tract infections.
Some conditions, like diabetes, increase the risk of getting a UTI. Other factors, such as smoking and drinking alcohol, can also increase the risk.
UTI s often happen because bacteria have migrated into the kidneys and bladder, which then has to fight off the foreign bacteria. This makes the kidneys work harder and decreases blood flow to your pelvis, making you susceptible to even more infections.
Basically What is UTI (Urinary Tract Infection)?
A urethral infection is a common form of UTI. A urethral infection is a common form of UTI. The urethra is the tube that connects the bladder and the penis. This tube passes urine into the bladder from the bladder through the urethra.
When the urethra is damaged, infections can occur in the urethra and bladder. This leads to a condition called urethral infection. The urethra is the same tube that connects the bladder to the urethra, and the penis. UT Is are common in adults. According to the CDC, the average American adult has between 2 and 4 UTI s per year. A urethra is where urine flows out of a woman’s body.
Infections can be passed to the urethra when urine touches anything inside a woman’s vagina that is not properly washed with a disinfectant. Urethral infections can spread to the lower parts of the urethra (urinary bladder and parts of the urethra, like the clitoris), or through the urethra itself.
There are lots of different types of Urethral infection and most can spread from the urethra to the lower parts of the urethra or urinary bladder. This can happen if bacteria get trapped behind the urethra (a common place for them to be) and a small lesion develops, called a Candida infection.
The Urethral Candidiasis and Sacroceri infections are common among women.
Symptoms of a UTI During Pregnancy
A person with a UTI may notice some of the following signs and symptoms
Urinary symptoms
- Peeing more frequently or the need to urinate often
- Feeling a strong urge to urinate
- Pain or discomfort when urinating
- Discomfort in the groin area
- A frequent urge to urinate
- A lower-back or pelvic pain
- Constipation
- Weak or achy muscles
- A burning sensation when urinating
Another symptom that occurs in women with UTIs is a slow or delayed urine stream.
Symptoms of a UTI in women may also include:
- Feeling bloated
A urinary tract infection may be difficult to diagnose, so it is important to speak with a doctor
Common causes of UTI’s
There are many common causes of UTIs. Most cases of UTIs are caused by a bacterium called E. coli or Staphylococcus epidermidis. These cause vaginal infections in women, men, and children, and in some cases, infections can affect the bladder.
E. coli
E. coli is one of the most common causes of UTIs. It is a type of bacteria, the largest group of single-celled organisms in the world. It can cause a range of health problems.
Most of the time, E. coli does not cause problems. However, some strains are known to cause health problems. In the vagina, one of these strains, E. coli O157:H7, causes a severe and sometimes fatal infection. Other strains are known to cause infections in the urinary tract. When E. coli bacteria enter the urinary system, they cause a urinary tract infection.
Since UTIs happen in a part of the body that is easily influenced by bacteria, UTIs are most often the result of bacteria spreading to the bladder, according to the American Pregnancy Association. Common bacteria that cause UTIs include Escherichia coli (E. coli), which is found in feces and a common food source, and Staphylococcus aureus (staph), a common cause of skin and respiratory infections.
It is not always clear which bacteria cause UTIs. However, if a person has a urinary tract infection with E. coli O157:H7, it usually occurs in areas near the urethra, including the bladder, ureters, urethral ducts, urethra, and urethra opening, or the bladder.
Other conditions can cause a UTI, including infection in the kidney or fallopian tubes, where the egg attaches to the uterus during pregnancy, as well as endometriosis, which involves tissue that lines the uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes.
As with any infection, symptoms of a UTI should go away on their own. But if you notice that your symptoms are coming and going, feel like you’re constantly producing more urine, or are urinating more than usual, see your doctor.
Are UTI s Common During Pregnancy?
Just as many women are at risk of developing UTIs during pregnancy, some women do develop UTIs despite trying to avoid one. Since UTIs happen in a part of the body that is easily influenced by bacteria, UTIs are most often the result of bacteria spreading to the bladder, according to the American Pregnancy Association. Common bacteria that cause UTIs include Escherichia coli (E. coli), which is found in feces and a common food source, and Staphylococcus aureus (staph), a common cause of skin and respiratory infections.
Is UTI A Serious Problem?
Pregnant women are at increased risk of serious infections including chorioamnionitis, cryptosporidiosis, group B strep, herpes simplex virus and other sexually transmitted infections.
The risk of becoming infected with a UTI during pregnancy is high, but it is always possible for it to occur even when your cervix is open. If you have to take antibiotics to prevent UTI s while you are pregnant, remember not to take them for longer than 6 days at a time. This is because the antibiotics can pass through the placenta into your baby.
Babies born to mothers who are infected with a UTI can develop jaundice, heart problems and organ failure. They can also have breathing problems, seizures, difficulty feeding and breathing and brain abnormalities. You need to be aware of these risks if you want to have a healthy pregnancy.
Can a UTI cause preterm labor?
There’s no doubt that infection is a cause of preterm labor. Most experts recommend taking antibiotics even before pregnancy for UTI’s. Pregnant women who are treated with antibiotics while expecting and their babies experience preterm birth may be at increased risk of preterm birth.
Diagnosing and Treating UTI
Now that we know how UTI s develop and are treated, let’s take a look at how a UTI is diagnosed and treated.
What is a bladder infection?
The bladder is a delicate area of the body with multiple tubes and pathways. It’s also sensitive and connected to a lot of other systems in the body.
Bladder infection symptoms can be caused by bacteria entering the bladder through the urethra, which carries urine from the bladder to the outside world. Bacteria then lie dormant in the bladder for a few days until the body’s immune system gets activated.
How does the bladder feel?
Bladder infections are usually painless and may feel slightly warm or red or irritated. It’s important to let your doctor know if you are experiencing any signs of infection.
When untreated, it can damage the baby’s urinary tract:
According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, UTI are the most common infections during pregnancy, affecting about 10% of pregnant women.
UTI that aren’t treated can pose health risks for the baby.
If left untreated, an untreated UTI during pregnancy can cause UTI in the baby, which can cause them to develop a UTI in the future.
And if you’re trying to get pregnant, it’s important to keep track of if you’ve ever had one and if so, what caused it so that you can prevent it from happening to you again.
While many women experience UTIs during pregnancy, a small number experience them even if they’ve never had a UTI before – one study showed that around 3.5% of pregnant women will have a UTI, while another found that 6% to 8% of women will develop a recurrence.
And while UTIs in pregnant women are uncommon, they can be dangerous to the baby. In fact, UTIs can cause a rise in risk factors for UTIs in the baby. But UTIs aren’t always completely treatable, and according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, untreated UTIs during pregnancy can pose health risks for the baby.
Treatment
Tea (as always)
Studies have shown that green tea has a higher potency at treating UTI than others, and especially for pregnant women. Drinking 6-8 cups of green tea everyday has been shown to rid the body of excess toxins, which would cause an increased UTI. Of course, consult your doctor before making this switch.
UTI Prevention: How To Avoid Them
They can be annoying and uncomfortable but are totally preventable.
Avoiding toxins: If your urine is cloudy, there may be bacteria on the stool that can infect you. You can lower the number of bacteria you’re exposed to by washing your hands, keeping your home germ-free, and staying away from unclean places.
Washing your vagina: Drinking water or adding vinegar to your vagina can help prevent bacteria from entering. It can also clean and restore vaginal pH to a healthy level.
Feminine wipes: These Feminine wipes, similar to feminine hygiene products, help rid your bladder of bacteria. This comes in handy when you’re traveling and/or not able to find a restroom.
Peppermint oil: It is very helpful in treating urinary tract infections (UTIs) and antibiotic-resistant UTIs, making it a great choice if you’re low on cash. Although one study has shown that peppermint oil is no more effective than plain old, odorless anti-bacterial soap, several other studies have also shown that peppermint oil is an effective anti-bacterial.
You can place a drop or two of peppermint oil on a cotton ball, then place it in your vagina. You can either rub it around in your vagina or take a pinch of the oil and apply it to the opening of your vagina, directly onto your urethra. This should help reduce bacteria and ward off UTIs.
Bottom line
A study of pregnant women with a history of urinary tract infections (UTI) compared with pregnant women who had not had a UTI.
They found that pregnant women with a history of UTI were 31 times more likely to get an infection during pregnancy than healthy women who had not had a UTI.
So taking care of this infection in the initial stage during pregnancy would avoid some serious consequences in the long run to come and will keep the health of the baby and mother in a safe position.
Sirisha B