Urine infection in pregnancy

Within the term urinary infection, different infections are not usually included in any part of the urinary tract: it can affect the kidneys, the ureters, or even the bladder. Infection occurs when a bacterium penetrates from the skin, vagina, or anus to the urethra and travels upward, with the infe

Within the term urinary infection, different infections are not usually included in any part of the urinary tract: it can affect the kidneys, the ureters, or even the bladder.

Infection occurs when a bacterium penetrates from the skin, vagina, or anus to the urethra and travels upward, with the infection reaching the bladder, ureters, or kidneys.

Why pregnant women are more prone to urinary infection

One of the most common discomforts during pregnancy is urine infections. Changes occur that make the pregnant woman more prone to have urine infections, since the bacteria have more time to grow. The changes are the following:

During pregnancy the high level of progesterone relaxes the muscle tone of the ureters (tubes that connect the kidneys to the bladder) and this causes them to dilate, so the flow of urine is slower. In addition, when the uterus grows, it can compress the ureters, making it difficult to pass urine.

The bladder also loses its muscle tone during pregnancy, making it more difficult to empty it completely.

Symptoms of urine infection in pregnant women

The most common symptoms of urine infection are:

- Pain, burning during urination.

- Suprapubic discomfort.

- Frequent urination, even when there is very little urine in the bladder.

- Cloudy urine.

- Fever, malaise, fatigue or vomiting are symptoms of pyelonephritis, meaning that the infection has reached the kidney. And it is more serious.

How to prevent the infection of urine in pregnancy

To prevent and treat urine infections during pregnancy we can take simple care in our day to day:

- Drink plenty of water. Realizar - Perform the hygiene of the genital area from the vagina to the no to avoid contamination by fecal bacteria.

- Empty the bladder after having sex.

- Avoid potentially irritating feminine hygiene products, excessive genital washing with angels or soaps can eliminate our natural flora.

- Take foods rich in vitamin C to acidify the urine. The American cranberry has shown in different studies to both prevent and be effective in the treatment of cystitis.