Urinary Tract Infection-UTI

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Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) is a bacterial inflammation of the urinary tract. When you are pregnant you are at more of a risk for this. This is due to the fact that the uterus is sitting on the top of the bladder, and as it grows (the uterus), its increasing weight can block the drainage of urine from the bladder, and cause a infection

signs and symptoms are:

• Pain or burning when urinating

• The need to ‘go more often’ but not going much,                                                                                                       small amounts at a time.

• Feeling of urgency when you urinate

• Blood or mucus in the urine

• Back pain as the bacteria spreads to your kidneys

• Foul smelling urine

• Cloudy urine

• Chills, fever sweats

• Leaking of urine

• Cramps or pain in the lower abdomen (moms often                                                                                                    think they are in labor)

• Pain during sex

Treatment

Treatment is with either ‘medical’ or natural antibiotics. You should not allow the infection to go on without treatment as it can possibly cause you to go into premature labor. Talk to your midwife about this.

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Why do I need to do something about it?

A urinary tract infection can lead to problems with a pregnant mother.  UTI’s are also called bladder infections. Bacterial inflammation in the urinary tract are more common in pregnancy. This is due to the changes in the urinary tract. The uterus sits directly on top of the bladder. As the uterus grows, its increased weight can block the drainage of urine from the bladder. This urine remains undrained and can cause problems or an infection.

This is what you can do to help prevent a UTI:

• I suggest that you increase your water intake, to at least 10 glasses a day. I also suggest that you take cranberry pills (careful of the juice as they may contain added sugars and that ‘feed’ the infection)

• 1. Drink a lot of water, at least 8-10 glasses a day

• 2. Drink unsweetened cranberry juice 

• 3. Take vit C and Zinc as directed daily

• 4. Empty your bladder as soon as you feel the need, stop ‘holding’ it

• 5. Change your underwear daily

• 6. Wear cotton underwear

• 7. Avoid panty hose

• 8. Do not wear tight fitting pants or jeans

• 9. Urinate right before and right after having sex

• 10. After urinating, blot dry (do not rub) and keep your genital area clean. Make sure you wipe from the front toward the back.

• 11. Avoid using strong soaps, douches, antiseptic creams, feminine hygiene sprays and powders.

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