Celina
van Grotel
obstetric - team blue - specialisations - ultrasound technician
Recognizing a bladder infection during pregnancy
If you are not pregnant, you often recognize it first by pain when urinating. This is a cramping. Because of hormones in pregnancy, this cramping does not occur. Thus, it is common that you do not immediately recognize a bladder infection. However, you can expect a nagging lower abdominal pain and an almost continuous feeling of urination even though there is not much urine coming (something you probably do anyway due to pregnancy). You also sometimes notice that your urine looks cloudier or starts to stink. Continuous pain in the back of your back, just below your ribs on the sides, can also indicate a urinary tract infection.
Our tips & advice
When in doubt, it is wise to take a little urine to your doctor. Your urine is checked for bacteria. Tap water flushes the kidneys clean better than anything else and helps drive out the bacteria that cause the infection. So drink lots of water and often. Don’t wait to do this until you already have an infection. Prevention is better than cure.
Solutions for cystitis
If you have a proven bladder infection, get a course of antibiotics through your doctor. Always complete the course of treatment completely and, after the course is over, recheck your urine through your doctor. A bladder infection that is not treated can lead to symptoms and increase risks of kidney pelvis infection and premature birth in the worst cases.
Natural remedies for cystitis
Should you have a bladder infection, here are some natural remedies you can try.
- Drink a lot (at least 2 liters a day) and plenty of vitamin C (citrus fruits or tablets).
- Go pee regularly, even if it hurts.
- Make a weak chamomile tea and drink over half a liter of it a day to flush germs from the bladder.
- Once every 3 hours, drink a glass of lukewarm water with two teaspoons of baking soda. That way urine becomes less acidic and bacteria multiply less.
- Cranberry juice goes where other juices do not. The berries seem to contain a substance that prevents bacteria from adhering to the walls of the urinary tract. The bacteria
- lose their hold and are washed away. This is also available in capsules or tablets. Often in combination with vitamin C.
Do you have further questions about urinary symptoms, cystitis or other discomforts during pregnancy? If so, feel free to ask one of our midwives. She will be happy to tell you more
- Burning sensation during urination
- Frequent (small bits) urination
- Fever or an elevation
- Blood in your urine or cloudy urine
When in doubt, it is wise to take a little urine to your doctor.