Bladder Infections in Pregnancy

Have you had a bladder infection, or are worried you’re getting one? Pregnancy is a time that you’re more likely to get one, and they can be more serious — so, today we’re going to talk about what to do if you think you have one and symptoms to watch for too!

FYI, in addition to being a nurse for so darn long, I also had kidney stones with my last baby — so I really understand how miserable and annoying these are. I’m right there with you.

FYI: Bladder infections are also called UTI’s (urinary tract infections)….

Signs of a Bladder Infection

The main signs are (and these can be very different than what you’d see when you’re NOT pregnant — even if you’ve had them before signs may be different while you’re pregnant).

Fever – A fever is normally anything over 100.4 — but if you’re feeling chills, night sweats or that backache you often get with a fever I’d take note.

Feeling Like You Have to Pee All the Time – Even right after you’ve gone, you may feel like you have to go again. Sometimes you just want to pitch a tent on the toilet. This isn’t fun at all.

I know that pregnancy can make you feel this way, but it would be more than normal. Especially when accompanied by….

Burning When You Pee – When you pee and right after you may have a burning sensation in your bladder and urethra. For me, it was always worst right when I was done peeing.

You may also have some lower abdominal pain, some small contractions, sometimes back pain as well. But those 3 above are the worst ones.

There’s also the possibility of blood in your urine or it smelling off. All things to take note of.

FYI, if you’re later in pregnancy, usually the symptoms are even worse. And if that’s you — be sure to get a birth plan going too (as if you didn’t have ENOUGH on your plate so far, right?).

Bladder Infections in Pregnancy?

Bladder infections are different in pregnancy:

More Frequent

Due to changes in your “flora”, increased discharge, and increased blood flow to that area you’re more likely to have bladder infections.

It’s a real bummer because with pregnancy they also tend to be more painful and can also be….

Problematic

Bladder infections can start preterm labor. Your bladder is ornery, so your uterus wants to get in on it as well.

In fact, most often when people come in with preterm labor we always check their urine, to make sure a bladder infection isn’t the culprit.

Other Urinary Issues

Beyond a bladder infection, there are other things that can happen in that area:

Kidney Stones – As I mentioned above I had them during my last pregnancy. Again, due to increased blood flow, and changes how the kidneys filter urine you are more likely to have them during pregnancy. This is often really serious and painful back pain (but can have the other symptoms above as well).

Kidney Infections – Normally, these come with a fever and some pretty severe back pain, plus the other symptoms mentioned. This can be really serious and needs to be looked at ASAP.

What Should You Do?

If you think you have a bladder or kidney infection you should call your provider. Most often they’ll just have you give a urine sample at the office to check it.

If it’s after office hours, they will likely say to do it in the AM — which is usually fine unless you’re having:

• Severe Symptoms
• Contractions with it

If you feel like it’s too much, you can ask them if you can be seen as the hospital. Depending on how far along you are, they may see you in labor and delivery.

Labor and delivery sees a LOT of bladder infections. Sometimes people just come in thinking they’re in labor or just feeling “weird” — so it is a normal thing for us.

Treatment for Bladder Infections

Most often you need antibiotics for a true bladder infection. You can have bladder spasms or other issues that don’t involve bacteria you can treat in other ways — but a true infection needs antibiotics from a provider.

Most often they’ll test your urine, and may send it for a culture where they will test what antibiotics will kill whatever bacteria it is.

One sort of weird thing is that if you have a bladder infection the BEST thing you can do is drink a lot. Yes, you’ll have to pee more, but your bladder will be less ornery with you. This wasn’t intuitive for me (I wanted to pee LESS) — but when I drank more, I did feel better. This isn’t going to fix it though.

If the infection is super painful, ask your provider if there is anything you can take.

I also have a whole article on bladder infections on my sister site that goes into some other home treatments.

How to Prevent Bladder Infections in Pregnancy

If you’re reading this and would like to prevent them — that’s super smart!

Good Hygiene – Make sure you’re wiping well, keeping the area clean. Most providers recommend just water and your hand (no soap).

Stop Extras – If you’re using things like lotions, soaking in bubble baths, or something similar in that area — stop it. They can be very triggering for infections.

Good Undies – You may need to switch out the underwear you’re used to wearing to something more breathable. A nice 100% cotton pair (affiliate link) is smart.

Stay Hydrated – Dehydration can set-off a series of issues, so staying hydrated, while a foundation of pregnancy, is something you’re doing to stay UTI-free!

So, hopefully this post helped you out about bladder infections.

There’s LOTS to know during pregnancy — please do come join me in my prenatal class to get prepared for ALL of it. We actually touch on bladder infections in the first chapter that’s on your last trimester. So, it really does prepare you for all of it!