Mums and Bubs
UTI or urinary tract infection during pregnancy may be a common occurrence in pregnant women. They are most likely to have this kind of bladder infection when they reach week 6 up to week 24. Urinary tract infections may be expected by pregnant women because at this time, their uterus may sit on their bladder which may cause it to block the way for urine to be drained from the bladder thoroughly.
Women who are experiencing urinary tract infection during pregnancy may feel some symptoms like discomfort when urinating which sometimes comes with pain or burning sensations as well as urinating more frequently than usual. They may also feel that they have to release their urine immediately and at times they may observe some blood or mucus that go with it. Pregnant women may even have to wake up from their sleep in order to urinate in the night.
Other signs of urinary tract infection during pregnancy may also include pain when having sexual intercourse and they may also have chills, fever as well as sweats too. Pregnant women may observe that there is a change in the amount of urine that they are passing and this could increase or decrease when they have UTI. They may also experience some pain on their back area and feel like vomiting especially when the bacteria have spread already to their kidneys. Urinary tract infection during pregnancy cannot be left untreated because it can lead to kidney infection.
Women who have urinary tract infection during pregnancy may be treated by their doctors without endangering the babies in their wombs. This is necessary to prevent other health problem that may cause the baby to be born prematurely. Doctors may recommend some safe antibiotics for the treatment of urinary tract infection during pregnancy. Pregnant women may take all necessary caution and care but there are times when they still develop UTI.
However, they may lessen their chances of contracting urinary tract infection during pregnancy and other types of infections by drinking lots of water every day. They may also drink natural and unsweetened cranberry juice on a regular basis. Refined foods and processed fruit juices as well as those containing caffeine, alcohol or sugar should be eliminated from their diets. Pregnant women need more vitamin C, Beta-carotene and zinc so that they may be able to fight any kind of infection aside from UTI.
Pregnant women are advised to urinate before and after sexual intercourse and if they are under medication, they have to abstain from it. They also need to avoid the use of strong soap as well as douches or any feminine wash. They have to practice personal hygiene such as changing their underwear every day. Pregnant women should avoid staying in the bath tub too long. Practicing these may not totally prevent urinary tract infection during pregnancy but at least pregnant women are able to reduce their chances of getting this infection.
