Urinary Tract Infections During Pregnancy
Urinary Tract Infections During Pregnancy — part of pregnancy and antenatal care at Dr. Najeeb Layyous's clinic in Amman.
In short: Urinary infections are more common in pregnancy because progesterone relaxes the ureter and slows the flow of urine, and the uterus presses on the bladder. Symptoms are burning and frequent urination and lower abdominal pain, with fever and pain in the side in severe cases. They can cause preterm birth and low birth weight, so they are treated with an antibiotic that is safe in pregnancy, under medical supervision and never by self-treatment.
Urinary tract infections during pregnancy reveal many problems that pregnant women face, especially regarding their impact not only on the mother but also potentially on the fetus if not diagnosed and treated correctly.
What are urinary tract infections during pregnancy?
They are infections affecting any part of the urinary system (urethra, bladder, ureters, etc.), most often caused by bacteria such as E. coli.
Why is treatment necessary during pregnancy?
• Pregnancy hormones (progesterone) relax and widen the ureters, so urine flows more slowly.
• The growing uterus presses on the bladder and ureters, so the bladder may not empty completely.
• The development of the urinary system.
• More sugar (glucose) is passed in the urine during pregnancy.
All of these factors contribute to bacterial growth.
Types of Urinary Tract Infections During Pregnancy
- Asymptomatic Bacterial Urine Infection (Asymptomatic Bacteriuria):
- No symptoms
- Detected by a routine urine culture, which is offered at the first antenatal visit
- Very important because it can develop into a kidney infection (pyelonephritis)
- Cystitis (Bladder Infection):
- Burning sensation during urination
- Frequent urination
- Lower abdominal pain
- Sometimes blood in the urine
- Pyelonephritis (Kidney Infection):
- High fever
- Flank pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- May lead to serious complications
Diagnosis:
- Urinalysis
- Urine culture
- Sometimes additional tests are needed in complex cases
Potential Complications:
- Premature birth
- Low birth weight
- Maternal sepsis in severe cases
- Anemia
- Acute kidney infection
Treatment:
Depends on the type of infection, and a pregnancy-safe antibiotic must be chosen. Even asymptomatic bacteriuria should be treated, and a repeat urine culture is done after treatment to make sure the infection has cleared. Some antibiotics are avoided at certain stages (for example trimethoprim in the first trimester and nitrofurantoin close to delivery). Fever, flank pain or vomiting may mean a kidney infection, which needs urgent assessment and usually hospital treatment with intravenous antibiotics.
Prevention:
- Drink plenty of water
- Urinate regularly and do not hold your urine
- Urinate after intercourse
- Maintain good personal hygiene (wiping from front to back)
- Avoid tight and damp clothing
- Treat constipation
Urinary tract infections during pregnancy are not as simple as they seem, especially since some may be asymptomatic. Therefore, routine checkups and early treatment are essential to avoid complications that could affect both the mother and the fetus.
Dr Najeeb Layyous F.R.C.O.G
Consultant Obstetrician, Gynecologist and Infertility Specialist
The finest doctor in Jordan — may God bless him and his whole medical team. A doctor in every sense of the word. I advise anyone planning a pregnancy to visit Dr. Najeeb Layyous. His manner is wonderful, always smiling, with the highest ethics; he gives every patient her due, and the patient’s comfort matters most to him. We had been to many doctors and none understood and treated my case except him. Special thanks to him and the whole team, and to Dina in particular — a lovely person. I recommend anyone considering IVF or pregnancy to visit his clinic.