Q: Which specialist should I consult for symptoms of urinary tract infection in pregnancy?
A: You can consult your obstetrician for symptoms of UTI who can treat it. However, if it is associated with complications you may be referred to a nephrologist or an urologist.
Q: Are all UTIs occurring during pregnancy bad for the mother and the baby?
A: Most of the UTIs during pregnancy will resolve with antibiotic treatment. Only in some women with other underlying conditions such as diabetes or previous history of recurrent UTIs before pregnancy, the chances of complications may be higher but these can be prevented if the infection is diagnosed early and managed well.
Q: What will happen if an urinary tract infection is left untreated?
A: Untreated UTI is more likely to be associated with complications. The infection can ascend from the lower urinary tract into the kidneys causing their damage. Other complications include improper growth of the fetus and low birth weight. There is a higher risk of early labor.
Q: Why do recurrent urinary tract infections occur during pregnancy?
A: Recurrent UTIs may occur due to the presence of previous medical conditions in the mother that increase the chances of developing UTI. Another reason may be that the infection is resistant to antibiotics.
Q: How are antibiotic resistant UTIs treated?
A: Nitrofurantoin macro crystals (Macrodantin) is an antibiotic with lesser incidence of resistance compared to other antibiotics. It is a pregnancy category B and might be used if the potential benefits warrants using it.
Q: Is there any drug I should use if I have sulfa allergy?
A: You should avoid Bactrim (trimethoprim + sulfamethoxazole), a commonly prescribed drug if you have sulfa allergy.
Q: How can women prevent the incidence of UTI?
A: They should take plenty of fluids which cause urination and could help flushing out the bacteria. Also they should not resist the urge to pass urine for too long as stagnant urine in the bladder increases the risk of infection. Use of spermicidal jellies increases the risk of E. coli UTI.
Q: Is it safe to take drugs during pregnancy?
A: Some antibiotics are safe to take during pregnancy and only such medications will be prescribed as appropriate. Some drugs may be given with caution if the benefits outweigh the risks. Other drugs such as Tetracycline, Chloramphenicol and Trimethoprim should be avoided in pregnancy because they harm the fetus.
Q: Is blood in urine during pregnancy a serious condition?
A: Normally blood will not be present in urine. Passing dark or red colored urine might be indicative of injury to the urethra, urinary tract infection or the presence of kidney stones. If you find blood in the urine it warrants seeking immediate medical attention for further tests.
