Managing Urine Infections in Pregnancy: Tips for a Healthy Journey

If you get a urinary tract infection in pregnancy, you may experience one or more of the following symptoms:

• Pain or burning (discomfort) while urinating.
• Urinating more often than usual.
• Feeling the need to urinate and pass urine.
• Blood or mucus in the urine.
• Experiencing cramps or pain in the lower abdomen. 
• Experiencing pain during intercourse.
• Chills, fever, sweating, urinary incontinence. 
• Waking up from sleep to urinate.
• Change in the amount of urine, more or less urine.
• Frothy and strong-smelling urine.
• Pain, pressure or discomfort in the bladder.
• When the bacteria spread to the kidneys, you may experience symptoms such as back pain, chills, fever, nausea and vomiting.

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UTI during pregnancy can occur due to several reasons, some of which are as follows:

• Changes in your body: All women are at risk of getting a UTI (in fact, men are at a higher risk because their urethra is shorter, making it easier for bacteria to enter the bladder). But pregnant women are at a higher risk because hormone changes give bacteria an easier opportunity to cause infection. Your growing uterus also puts extra pressure on your bladder, making it difficult to empty it completely. Women who are carrying more than one child are also at a higher risk of getting infected.
• Bacteria in the intestines: The bacteria that cause UTIs can come from many places. One common bacteria is E.coli found in the intestines. Since the urethra is located close to the rectum, these bacteria can easily travel to the urethra. Wiping this area from front to back after using the bathroom helps keep bacteria away.
• Sex: Having sex during pregnancy is great. But it can have one negative effect: the possibility of suffering from a UTI. Because bacteria present near the vagina can be pushed into the urethra during intercourse. That's why it's important to pee before and after sex. 
• Group B Streptococcus: This type of bacteria is normally found in the intestine, which can cause UTI during pregnancy. Towards the end of pregnancy, the doctor will check you for this infection and treat you with antibiotics if you have an infection.

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If UTI is not treated, it can lead to kidney infection. Kidney infection during pregnancy can lead to premature delivery and low birth weight of the baby. If the doctor treats the urinary tract infection early and properly, UTI will not harm your baby. 

(Read more - Recurring UTIs in women) 

UTI in pregnancy diagnosis and treatment in Hindi UTI during pregnancy can be detected by urinalysis (urine analysis; chemical test of urine) and urine culture (urine culture - test done to identify bacteria). UTI during pregnancy is safely treated with antibiotics. Doctors usually prescribe a 3-7 day course of antibiotics which is safe for you and the baby. If you still feel fever, chills, mild stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, contractions or burning sensation while urinating even after taking the medicine for three days, then contact the doctor.

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Sometimes urinary tract infection occurs even after doing everything properly, but you can still reduce the chances of infection by adopting the following methods:

• Drink 6-8 glasses of water daily and drink unsweetened cranberry juice regularly.
• Do not consume refined foods such as fruit juices, caffeine, alcohol and sugar.
• Take vitamin C (250 to 500 mg), beta carotene (25,000 to 50,000 international units per day) and zinc (30-50 mg per day) to fight infection.
• Make it a habit to urinate immediately as soon as you feel the need and completely empty the bladder when you urinate.
• Be sure to urinate before and after intercourse.
• Do not have sex while you are being treated for a UTI.
• Clean your genital area thoroughly from front to back after urinating.
• Do not use harsh soaps, douches, antiseptic creams, hygiene sprays and powders.
• Change underwear and pantyhose daily.
• Do not wear tight-fitting pants.
• Wear cotton underwear and pantyhose.
• Swim in the bathtub more than twice a day and for no more than 30 minutes or so.

(Read more - Every Mother Should Know : Pregnancy Problems)

Urine infection is a common problem during pregnancy that occurs when bacteria enter the bladder through the urethra. Hormonal changes in pregnancy and the growing uterus put increased pressure on the urethra, increasing the risk of infection. Symptoms may include frequent urination, burning or pain while urinating, lower abdominal pain, and sometimes fever. This infection is especially important for pregnant women because if it is not treated on time, it can cause complications like kidney infection or preterm labor. For treatment, doctors recommend antibiotics and drinking lots of water. Regular checkups and taking care of hygiene are also important to avoid this infection.