How To Safely Treat A UTI During Pregnancy

As it turns out, urinary tract infections (UTIs) are quite common during pregnancy. In fact, up to 10% of pregnant people will experience a UTI at some point during their pregnancy. That's because fetuses often put pressure on the bladder and urinary tract, which can trap bacteria. Since urine is more concentrated and contains more sugars and hormones during pregnancy, it can encourage bacterial growth. According to experts at Healthline, UTIs occur when this bacteria enters the urethra and causes an infection.

UTIs can cause some serious health risks for pregnant people if left untreated, like premature labor and a severe kidney infection known as pyelonephritis. That's why it's important to watch out for signs of a UTI and seek treatment right away. Some common symptoms of UTIs include fever, nausea, painful urination, pelvic or lower back pain, frequent urination, feeling the urge to pee frequently, and cloudy or blood-tinged urine.

According to Medical News Today, most UTIs during pregnancy can be treated with a course of antibiotics. Your doctor will most likely prescribe a 3-day course of amoxicillin, ampicillin, cephalosporins, nitrofurantoin, or trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole — all of which are safe to take during pregnancy. They may also recommend trying out some home remedies to help speed up recovery.

Believe it or not, drinking plenty of water, peeing whenever you feel the urge, taking probiotics and vitamin C supplements, and drinking cranberry juice help clear up a UTI in conjunction with antibiotics. Drinking water and urinating frequently can help flush out bacteria in the urinary tract, while cranberry juice can help discourage bacterial growth. In addition, taking a combination of probiotics and supplements may help prevent you from experiencing recurrent infections. If your UTI has spread to your kidneys, however, you will need to be hospitalized, where you will most likely be given intravenous fluids and antibiotics.