Protect Your Health With This UTI Prevention Guide During Pregnancy

Pregnancy brings undeniable joy, but it comes with some challenges. One such challenge is the Urinary Tract Infection (UTI). Urinary incontinence in women often occurs during pregnancy, and when added to those who experience frequent UTIs, the risk of infection is very high. This guide discusses pregnancy-related UTIs, their prevalence, symptoms, and practical preventive measures to help you have a healthier pregnancy and ensure safety for you and your baby.

What Happens to Your Urinary System During Pregnancy

UTIs are common during pregnancy. If you are experiencing a UTI while pregnant, know that UTIs can affect any part of your urinary system, which includes the kidneys, bladder, ureters, or urethra. In pregnancy, changes in your body make these infections more likely for you. A burning sensation while urinating, more frequent urination, cloudy or unusual-smelling urine, and sometimes lower abdominal pain or fever are signs of a UTI.

Most UTIs are caused by physiological changes associated with pregnancy. The expanding uterus sometimes presses down on the bladder and the urethra, which may limit the urine flow or make it difficult to completely empty the bladder. Lower flow favours bacterial multiplication. Changes in hormones also influence the muscle tone of the urinary tract; this has a weakened defensive mechanism against bacteria.

The tract usually excludes harmful bacteria. However, once the defences are weakened, infection develops. During pregnancy, the ureters—the tubes carrying urine from the kidneys to the bladder—widen and interfere with urine flow. Altered urine flow allows bacteria to ascend, increasing the likelihood of kidney infection that may develop into severe cases.

Also, urine changes its composition during pregnancy. It may contain more sugar and proteins, which will facilitate the growth of bacteria. Coupled with the above changes in the urinary tract, the risk of UTIs increases.

UTIs in Pregnancy: Symptoms & Risks

Awareness of UTI symptoms in pregnancy is important to safeguard your health and your baby's. UTIs in pregnancy are very dangerous because they can present with the following symptoms:

• Urge to urinate constantly.
• Burning or discomfort while urinating.
• Cloudy, bloody, or foul-smelling urine.
• Leakage of urine or feeling of incomplete bladder emptiness.
• Discomfort in the lower abdomen or just above the bone inside the pubic region.

The point here is not to overlook or underestimate these signs as simple pregnancy discomforts. Urgency and painful urination should not be ignored as well among these symptoms. See your doctor once if such signs persist. This would ensure early detection and treatment of UTIs, thereby preventing complications that might eventually bring forth severe health conditions for both you and your baby. Medical providers guide on the proper management of infections in case of their presence.

Health Risks for Mother & Baby

UTIs in pregnancy can lead to complications both for the mother and the baby. Knowing the risks helps in preventing them.

For women, an undiagnosed or untreated UTI can become a serious issue that causes a kidney infection. This could worsen and cause hypertension in the mothers, now called preeclampsia, which can go further into life-threatening sepsis during pregnancy. Such complications raise significant threats to maternal health and potentially compromise the course of pregnancy as well.

These babies are exposed to risk factors if the mother develops a UTI during pregnancy. Chances of premature labour with consequent preterm birth increase. Low birth weight, causing long-term health issues, is another concern.

Prevent these complications by recognising UTI symptoms and seeking medical advice early. Pregnant women should attend all antenatal appointments and report any UTI symptoms to healthcare providers. Treatment usually involves antibiotics safe for pregnancy.

Key point: Finish the full course of antibiotics to eliminate the infection entirely and prevent the risk of a recurrence or exacerbation.

UTIs During Pregnancy: Prevention Guidelines

Preventing or reducing the risk of UTIs is vital for a healthier pregnancy. The pregnant woman must know the following:

Key Steps to Prevent UTIs

• Stay hydrated and have ample fluids, primarily water. Drink 6 to 8 glasses of water per day and sugarless cranberry juice.
• Practice good toilet habits.
• Drain the bladder completely at the first urge to urinate.
• Use cotton underwear and loose clothes. Change undergarments daily, and do not sleep in underwear so that air can penetrate the skin, i.e., allowing the skin to breathe.
• Maintain strict personal hygiene. After the toilet visit, pat or blot front to back with a soft cloth or tissue. Do not wipe.
  Bathe using showers. If you need to bathe, make it as short as possible.
• Use gentle, less irritating water-based lubricants when having sexual intercourse. Clean your genitals before and after intercourse.
• Always pass urine both before and after sexual intercourse to remove the bacteria likely to reach your urinary system.
• Check your control measures for illnesses that may weaken your immunity. Adjust your diet according to the recommendations from your doctor, and take supplements of beta-carotene, zinc, and vitamin C, which help support immune functions and reduce infections.
• Monitor new symptoms and seek medical attention early. Screening and assessment regularly prevent the occurrence of infections.

What Not to Do When Pregnant

Avoid the following habits to decrease the incidence of UTIs during pregnancy:

• Control the intake of alcohol, caffeine, citrus fruits, sweet drinks, spicy foods, and other similar irritating agents.
• Avoid harsh chemicals such as douches, sprouts, feminine sprays, fragrant soaps, etc.
• Avoid the use of tight clothing.
• Avoid sexual intercourse during treatment for a UTI until cleared by a healthcare provider.

Stay Protected: Your UTI-Free Pregnancy Starts Here

Take an active stance against urinary infections in pregnancy, and be well-prepared for the safety of your overall health and that of your baby. Prevention, early symptom recognition, and timely treatment can reduce UTI risks by a considerable margin. JOGO’s painless and nonsurgical EMG biofeedback therapies and a neuroplasticity-based approach, combined with innovative Digital Therapeutics (DTx) solutions, will help you stay protected.

JOGO’s painless and non-surgical EMG biofeedback therapy, combined with innovative Digital Therapeutics (DTx) solutions, helps those seeking comprehensive management for urinary incontinence and chronic pain linked to infections. Our neuroplasticity-based approach further supports your journey to a healthier pregnancy and enhanced bladder wellness. Get in touch with us today!

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