Bladder infection during pregnancy: what helps?

Are bladder infections more common during pregnancy?

In the case of a bladder infection, pathogens, usually intestinal germs in women, settle in the urinary tract. The pathogens can then migrate through the urethra into the urinary bladder and trigger a so-called “cystitis” there.

Pregnant women are particularly susceptible to this form of infection, because during pregnancy the hormone progesterone relaxes the muscles of the hollow organs and thus those of the urinary tract. This widens them. Bacteria can enter the urethra more easily, multiply and also spread more easily to the ureters and renal pelvis. In addition, a weakening of the muscular culture means that urine flows more slowly from the kidneys to the urethra. Bacteria are not flushed out immediately, but have more time to multiply.

Symptoms of cystitis

• Burning when urinating
• Frequent and difficult going to the toilet
• The urine is sometimes bloody
• Often the urine also smells bad
• Sometimes a bladder infection is also associated with abdominal pain
• If a bladder infection spreads further, fever and pain in the kidney area can also occur.

Complications of cystitis in pregnancy

If a bladder infection during pregnancy is treated in good time, it does not pose a risk. However, if the infection is left untreated for too long, the bacteria will spread further and can also penetrate the vagina.

A particularly critical form of cystitis, which occurs particularly frequently during pregnancy, is the asymptomatic urinary tract infection. In this form, bacteria can be detected in the urine, but otherwise there are no symptoms. According to the Professional Association of Gynecologists, this form of urinary tract infection occurs in 5 to 10 percent of all pregnancies. Since the pregnant women do not notice the infection, it can often only be treated at a late stage. The pathogens then had plenty of time to spread to the kidneys. Unfortunately, according to the Association of Gynecologists, pelvic inflammation is the result in 40 percent of cases. In these cases, kidney function is impaired. This also increases the risk of premature birth or miscarriage for pregnant women.

In order to be able to detect cystitis in good time, the urine test is an integral part of the preventive medical check -ups . If you visit your doctor or midwife regularly, you should be able to significantly reduce the risk of a severe infection.

Prevent cystitis during pregnancy

To prevent a bladder infection, you should make life as difficult as possible for the bacteria:

• Drink plenty of fluids to flush out the first germs.
• Make sure that you wipe from front to back after a bowel movement to avoid introducing bacteria into the vaginal entrance.
• Do not use strong soaps or intimate sprays when cleaning the intimate area, as this destroys the natural protective layer and thus the natural protective shield against bladder infections and vaginal thrush .
• If there is increased vaginal discharge or uncontrolled urination, use panty liners that are permeable to air, such as the organic panty liners from Cosmea – without fragrance, which are breathable and perfect for women with a sensitive intimate area.

Treatment of cystitis in pregnancy

If your doctor diagnoses a bladder infection, she will treat you with antibiotics. Your doctor will select preparations that are as gentle as possible for you and your baby. Depending on how severe the infection is, the therapy should last between three and seven days to ensure that all germs are killed. In the case of severe or recurring infections, treatment may take longer.

It is also important to drink plenty of fluids and to empty your bladder regularly during treatment. This helps the body flush out the bacteria. Diuretic teas from the pharmacy are particularly good – or online, where you can often get them for significantly less money for an equally good effect, such as the bladder and kidney flushing tea from Sidroga. Heat, for example in the form of a hot water bottle, also helps.

If you suffer from urinary tract infections more often, talk to your doctor about other possible causes and appropriate measures. Long-term therapies are also possible, with which the immune system in the bladder is rebuilt and strengthened so that infections can be better fought again.