Bladder Infections in Pregnancy

A bladder infection is a bacterial infection affecting any part of the urinary tract. This type of infection is also known as urinary tract infection (UTI), which the most common type is called cystitis, which is an inflammation of the bladder.

There are other types of bladder infections called pyelonephritis, which is a kidney infection, and infections of the urethra. Urine contains a variety of fluids, salts, and waste products, but it normally does not have bacteria.

Presence of bacteria in the bladder multiplies in the urine and causes the urinary tract infection, particularly in women who are more susceptible to bacteria in their urine.

Most bladder infections are not serious, but painful. In pregnant women, untreated bladder infection may lead to kidney infections that may cause early labor. However, if the infection is treated early and properly, will not cause harm to the baby.

Although bladder infections cause different symptoms in each individual, a common sign is feeling pain and/or burning with urination, a well as an increasing need to urinate frequently. Sometimes you may notice foul-smelling urine and even blood. Moderate to severe bladder infections can also involve the kidneys and cause fever and chills.

Your doctor can perform a test to determine if you have asymptomatic bacteriuria, which are germs that grow in the urinary tract but never present symptoms. These germs should be treated in pregnant women, although treatment it is not necessary in most other women.

Infection usually occurs when bacteria from the bowel that lives on the skin near the vagina, or rectum, spread and enter the urinary tract through the urethra. Urine inside the bladder is normally sterile and no bacteria can live there until infection occurs.

Bacteria live in warm moist environments such as the vaginal area and the penis, from where they can easily move up to the urethra, but flushed out by urination before this can happen, otherwise they reach the bladder, start to multiply and infection occurs.

To prevent bladder infections you should drink plenty of water, preferred over any other liquid, and urinate often, instead of waiting for long periods of time before you urinate. While having sexual intercourse, urinate after making love, and after you urinate, wipe from front to back.

Another preventive measure, and long time used in home remedies, is drinking several glasses of cranberry juice a day to prevent urinary tract infections, whether you are pregnant or not.