Back

Getting a UTI While Pregnant is Completely Normal

First, congrats on your little bundle of joy. Your body is hard at work creating life and preparing for birth. Your hormones will be out of whack, causing an unbalanced vaginal pH. This fact alone makes you more susceptible to bacteria to stay put in your warm and comfy home. That is why your OBGYN constantly asks you to pee in a cup.

 

UTIs occur when bacteria enter the urinary tract (urethra, bladder, kidneys.) Normally, vaginas secrete acidic fluids that kill off bad bacteria, but there is a chance for bacteria to grow from the inside during pregnancy. Thanks to pressure from your expanding uterus and a hormone surge that relaxes the muscles in the uterus, your bladder may not entirely empty itself when peeing. Hence, why so many pregnant women have to pee all the time, The longer urine stays in your body, the higher the chances that you'll grow too much bacteria for the vagina to fight off on its own. Enters the UTI.

 

Now, while completely common and easily treated with antibiotics, it is essential to get treated at the first sign of a UTI. We know that could be difficult since pregnancy itself brings a slew of bodily issues but pay attention to the signs. These include:


  • Frequent urge to urinate (more than before)
  • A burning sensation when urinating
  • Urine that appears cloudy with a sour odor
  • Urine that has any red in it
  • Pelvic pain and pressure
  • Lower back pain

 If left untreated, a UTI during pregnancy can become a severe infection that could ultimately lead to preterm labor or premature delivery.

 

Postpartum UTIs

Yay, you had the baby… you’re not out of the woods just yet. In some cases, the risks of developing a UTI increase after you give birth. Those that have a C-section or an epidural during labor will have a catheter inserted into their bladder. But a catheter increases your risk of infection the longer it stays in your body, and its placement provides the route for bacteria to come in. Your doctor should remove it no more than six to eight hours after surgery. An infection can take days to appear, so keep an eye on any possible UTI symptoms after you check out of the hospital.

 

To help prevent UTIs during pregnancy, there are some home remedies that have been clinically proven to be safe for use during pregnancy. This includes drinking plenty of water, always wiping front to back, peeing before and after sex, and taking extra supplements like probiotics and Urinary Tract Balance Supplements containing D-Mannose and cranberry powder. Those will help prevent E. coli bacteria from sticking to the walls of the urinary system. Cheers to that!