Pyelonephritis in pregnant women: diagnosis and treatment

One of the unpleasant diseases that occur in women waiting for a child is pyelonephritis in pregnant women, otherwise called gestational. In fact, it is an infectious disease of the kidneys, characterized by inflammation of the pelvis in the kidneys and urinary tract.

There are two types of this disease: acute and chronic. Some doctors believe that acute pyelonephritis in pregnant women is nothing more than an exacerbation of a chronic form. Moreover, the carrier may not suspect the presence of the disease, since it can pass asymptomatically, becoming aggravated in rare cases under the influence of certain factors.

For pregnancy, the effect of the hormone progesterone on the whole body is characteristic, and in particular, it helps to relax the smooth muscles, from which all organs of the urinary system consist. As a result, the tone decreases, urine output and blood circulation in the kidneys are delayed. The following symptoms appear, which may indicate the presence of the disease.

Firstly, it is pain in the lumbar region, most often, on the one hand. However, it is worth distinguishing them from pain caused by other factors, for example, the threat of abortion or the burden caused by a growing fetus on the woman's spine. Secondly, and this is one of the most characteristic signs by which you can identify pyelonephritis in pregnant women, this is clouding of urine and the appearance of an unpleasant smell. The body temperature may rise, but this is not so specific a symptom that may be a consequence of other diseases. Gestational pyelonephritis can be accompanied by cystitis, inflammation of the urinary tract.

It should be remembered that the most accurate diagnosis, as well as treatment, should be done by a doctor. In the case of any unpleasant sensations from the urinary organs, it is worth to consult a specialist who will conduct the necessary tests to detect the presence or absence of the disease. Most often, they include ultrasound of the kidneys, a general and biochemical blood test, a general urine test, Zemnitsky's trial. If nevertheless pyelonephritis is found, the treatment takes into account the symptoms, for example, if there are pains, then this is an acute form of the disease, which, perhaps, will require the taking of pain medications. Therefore, during the entire expectation of the child urine should be given at least once every 2 weeks, and at the latest times, once a week, in time to identify the developing pathology.

The main treatment of pyelonephritis in pregnant women is to take antibiotics. Naturally, their possible effects on the fetus are taken into account. In the first trimester semisynthetic penicillin is preferred, at later terms - cephalosporins and macrolides. In addition, the doctor can recommend diuretics and herbal infusions that contribute to this. Among them, you can take kidney birch, fruit juniper, rose hips.

For the prevention of a disease such as pyelonephritis in pregnant women, a woman is recommended proper nutrition and moderate physical activity. Also, experts advise periodically to take such a pose: to kneel, while the elbows are rested on the floor, the head and chest are lowered, and the pelvis, on the contrary, is raised. Thus, the pressure of the uterus decreases on the kidneys and urinary system, respectively, improves blood circulation in the organs and urine outflow. In addition, prevention is also in the treatment of individual infectious foci that appear in the body, for example, angina, tooth decay, respiratory infections, etc.

In case the woman underwent gestational pyelonephritis, after the birth, she is recommended for observation by a urologist,examination once a month, periodic phytotherapy.