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If you are pregnant and notice blood in your urine, or the doctor detects blood in a routine urine test, it can be a sign of a urinary tract infection (UTI).
A UTI is the infection in the urinary tract and is typically caused by bacteria. UTIs are more common in pregnancy because the growing baby can put pressure on the urinary bladder and urinary tract, which can trap the bacteria or may also cause urinary leakage.
Read ahead to learn more about the causes, symptoms and treatment of Urinary Tract Infections in pregnancy, and other causes of blood in the urine during pregnancy.
Table of Contents
What are the symptoms of UTI in pregnancy?
Symptoms of a UTI during pregnancy may include-
- Strong urge to urinate
- Frequently urinating small amounts of urine
- Burning sensation while urinating
- Discomfort in the center of pelvis
- Back pain
- Smelly urine
- Blood in urine (also known as hematuria)
- Cloudy urine
- Fever
What can cause UTI during pregnancy?
There are 3 major types of UTI in pregnancy, each with distinctive causes-
- Asymptomatic bacteriuria – Asymptomatic bacteriuria is often caused due to bacteria present in a female’s body before she becomes pregnant. This type of UTI does not cause any noticeable or uncomfortable symptoms. If left untreated, this infection can lead to acute bladder infection or kidney infection. Asymptomatic bacteriuria occurs in about 1.9 to 9.5 % of pregnant females.
- Acute urethritis or cystitis- Urethritis is the inflammation of the urethra while cystitis is known as the inflammation of the bladder. Both of these infections are caused due to bacterial infection. They are often caused by a type of E. coli (Escherichia coli).
- Pyelonephritis- Pyelonephritis is a type of kidney infection which can be the result of bacteria entering the female’s kidneys from her bloodstream or from elsewhere in her urinary tract, such as the ureters. Along with blood in urine, symptoms of pyelonephritis may include fever, pain or burning when urinating, and pain in the back, sides, groin, or abdomen.
Also Read- Causes and Symptoms of UTIs
Treatment for UTI during pregnancy
Doctors commonly recommend antibiotics to treat UTIs in pregnancy. Not all antibiotics and other medicines are safe during pregnancy.
Also Read- Are antibiotics safe in pregnancy?
So, your doctor will prescribe you an antibiotic which is safe for use in pregnancy and is still effective in killing bacteria in the body. Such antibiotics for UTIs in pregnancy can include-
- Amoxicillin
- Erythromycin
- Cefuroxime
- Azithromycin
CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) recommends avoiding nitrofurantoin or trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole for UTIs in pregnancy, as use of these medicines during pregnancy has been linked to birth defects in infants.
Also Read- Pregnancy Drug Category and Unsafe Drugs in Pregnancy
Other causes of blood in the urine in pregnancy?
Blood leaking into the urine can be caused due to a number of conditions, whether the female is pregnant or not. Such causes can include:
- Kidney stones
- Bladder stones
- Glomerulonephritis (inflammation of the filtering system of the kidneys)
- Cancer of bladder or kidney
- Kidney injury
- Inherited disorders (like Alport syndrome or sickle cell anemia)
The cause of hematuria or bloody urine cannot always be identified.
Also Read- Why is there pain near belly button during pregnancy?
Takeaway
Although blood in urine is often harmless, it can at times indicate a serious disorder. If you are pregnant and you see blood in urine, make an appointment with a doctor right away. You can also consult a doctor right now by simply clicking here!
