Urinary Tract Infection During Pregnancy

As if your urinary tract is not under enough pressure, you also need to watch yourself for infection during pregnancy.

If you had a urinary tract infection before pregnancy, you are familiar with the burning sensation in your urine. Unfortunately, urinary tract infections are very common during pregnancy. Sometimes you encounter this problem without experiencing any symptoms. If you do not receive treatment, serious problems may occur.

WHAT IS URINARY TRACT INFECTION?

Urinary tract infection is a bacterial infection that occurs in the urinary tract, bladder, and even the kidneys.

You remove waste and excess water from your body through urine. The urinary tract consists of the kidneys, where urine is produced, the ducts that carry urine to the bladder, and the bladder. Sometimes bacteria on your skin and other bacteria in your body unexpectedly enter the urinary tract and multiply. This causes infection.

How common is URINARY TRACT INFECTION DURING PREGNANCY?

At least 5% of pregnant women experience urinary tract infection.

The uterus expands throughout pregnancy. Despite the pressure, hormones that relax your muscles, and your growing belly and your efforts to keep your perineal area clean, the intestinal bacteria on your skin and intestines enter your urinary tract and cause infection.

Bladder infection is very common in non-pregnant women. Kidney infections are twice as common as bladder infections. This is seen at a low rate of around 2% in pregnant women.

SYMPTOMS OF URINARY TRACT INFECTION

Every woman's body is different. Therefore, consult a doctor if you experience any pain or discomfort. Consult your doctor, especially if you have typical urinary tract infection symptoms listed below.

• A burning sensation while urinating

• The need to go to the toilet very often

  >

• Feeling like you have a lot of toilets when you don't have one

• Urine that is cloudy, dark, smelly or bloody

• Fever that is not excessively high

• Pain in the lower abdomen

• Pain in the upper abdomen or just behind it (may cause kidney infection. Urgent intervention should be taken.)

• Coldness, nausea, vomiting and fever (may be an indicator of kidney infection.)

 

WHAT CAUSES URINARY TRACT INFECTION DURING PREGNANCY?

 

• Changes in your body: all women are at risk of urinary tract infection. Women are more at risk than men. The reason for this is that the urinary tract in women is shorter than in men, and this is more suitable for bacterial growth. Pregnant women are the most susceptible group for infection. Because changing hormones allow bacteria to move in the urinary tract and cause infection. At the same time, the growing uterus puts pressure on the bladder and prevents you from voiding your urine completely. This makes you especially susceptible to urinary tract infections.

• Bacteria in your intestines: bacteria that cause urinary tract infections can come from many places. Since the urinary tract is very close to the rectum, bacteria from the intestines cause infection.

• Streptococcus bacteria in the intestine causes urinary tract infection during pregnancy. In this case, your doctor may recommend a suitable antibiotic for treatment.

There are also other risk factors that are not very serious. If you have any of these, you should report this to your doctor.

• Previous urinary tract infection

• Gestational diabetes 

• Previous births

• Obesity

• Sickle cell disease

• If you have had a previous urinary tract surgery

• If you have diseases that damage the nerves that control the urinary tract (Parkinson, MS or another physical disease)

DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF URINARY TRACT INFECTION

The most common way to diagnose urinary tract infection is to look at urine culture. You can give a urine sample into a clean glass and have it tested.

If you have a urinary tract infection, your doctor will give you an antibiotic that pregnant women can use. Use the prescribed antibiotic until it runs out. Even if you feel better in the middle of the treatment, do not stop and drink plenty of water. If the infection has spread to your kidneys, your doctor may prescribe a different treatment for you.

Remember, sometimes women can have an infection without any symptoms. Inf The injection can cause many disorders, premature birth, preeclampsia and harm the baby's development. Therefore, if you feel any symptoms, be sure to inform your doctor. In addition, urinalysis performed during routine check-ups is therefore very important.

HOW CAN YOU PROTECT FROM URINARY TRACT INFECTION?

Some precautions you can take for urinary tract infection are as follows.

• Stay hydrated. Be sure to consume the amount you need each day. The more you urinate, the more bacteria you get rid of.

• Do not hold your urine. Yes, it is very annoying to go to the toilet every 5 minutes, but do not hold it when you go to the toilet. Do not get up without using the toilet completely. Make sure to go to the toilet before sleeping.

• Wear underwear with cotton crotch. This will help keep your sensitive area dry. Bacteria grow in moist environments. Therefore, dryness is important.

• When cleaning yourself, clean from front to back.

• Stay away from hygienic products (lotion, cream, etc.) that women frequently use. It may cause irritation.

• Pay attention to your diet. To keep your immunity high, follow strong nutrition programs suitable for pregnant women. Some doctors recommend that you either consume plenty of yoghurt or use prebiotics to keep beneficial bacteria while you use antibiotics. Do not use any prebiotics without consulting your doctor.

• Pay attention to your hygiene. Especially keep your perineal area clean. Use cleaning materials that will not cause irritation.

I wish you a healthy day.

 

_{Read: 0}