Women are more prone to urinary tract infection than men. If a woman is going through a time of gestation Your odds may be more exposed since its relationship with hormonal changes and other alterations may aggravate the cause.
Urinary infection it is caused by different microorganisms such as viruses, bacteria and parasites, although the main cause of cystitis and pyelonephritis is Escherichia Coli, a bacteria lodged in the intestines. The proliferation of this bacterium during pregnancy can be derived from different causes.
Causes of urine infection in pregnancy
Progesterone is a hormone secreted by a pregnant woman's body. It is the cause of the relaxation of many of your muscles including those in the part of the urethra, which connect the bladder and the kidneys. Being more relaxed, the flow of urine is slower and causes urine to be retained for much longer in the urinary tract, causing a greater proliferation of bacteria.
During pregnancy the pH also varies and causes the urine to become less acidic and that it contains much more glucose. In this way, the risk and multiplication of bacteria that cause said infection increases. If the infection becomes severe there could be a pyelonephritis, a much more serious complication. There is a possibility that this infection will spread to the bloodstream and become very dangerous for both the mother and the fetus.
Most Common Symptoms
There are many women who suffer from infection and do not usually have symptoms, so it goes away on its own, however, there are times that you do not realize it until pyelonephritis occurs. To do this, you have to be vigilant in case some of the common symptoms are observed:
The first signs are usually that minor burning discomfort or minor pain when urinating, even that little itch that makes you want to urinate frequently, without even having a full bladder.
Urine is usually much more cloudy and gives off a bad smell. In more extreme cases it is usually accompanied by blood or pus. They usually appear in some cases of back pain, a lot of fatigue and even fever.
What to do if you have a urine infection in pregnancy?
For any of these symptoms it is important go to the family doctor or specialist so I can do a test and rule out if you have infection. In the case of suffering from it, we will have to follow the guidelines that they indicate us and a series of cares.
A treatment with the use of antibiotics that will last around seven days will surely be prescribed. Never start treatment on your own without consulting a doctor since in the future recurrent infections may arise. It is better to follow a continuous and controlled treatment.
Tips for treatment and prevention
You have to follow a soft diet with a spicy-free diet. It's advisable drink at least two liters of water daily and not letting urine hold in the bladder. Must frequent in going to the bathroom and in each urination wash the genital area well. In defecations you should try to clean from front to back and also try to wash the area with soap and water.
Don't let the genital area be wetIf you use a swimsuit, change it as soon as possible to a dry one. And for urine leakage problems, use incontinence pads or pads.
Act quickly. wear clothing that is not synthetic, not too tight and with breathable materials. It is important that the underwear is light and made of organic material and cotton.
If you have sex it is convenient drink a glass of water before sex and urinate at the end. Also wash the area with soap to clean any debris that may harm.
You can follow a cranberry-based treatment. It is one of the natural alternatives that can be taken during pregnancy. According to the Center for Research on Phytotherapy and the Spanish Society of Gynecology and Obstetrics recommend its intake as it can reduce up to half the episodes of infection.