Urinary tract infections (UTI) are a common complaint among pregnant women. As the uterus grows to accommodate the baby, it puts pressure on the bladder. This is what contributes to frequent urination and UTIs during pregnancy. When the urine can't escape the bladder, naturally occurring bacteria are allowed to replicate, causing infection. A kidney infection is a more serious type of UTI.
Urine Frequency
Some of the earliest symptoms of the earliest symptoms of a kidney infection are hard to recognize during pregnancy because they are so similar to normal bodily changes. This includes an increase in the need to urinate. Women already experience this as early as the first four to six weeks of the pregnancy. Women are likely to wake during the night to urinate with an infection but also because of the pregnancy itself.
Urination Urges
Women who have a kidney infection may feel a sudden, strong urge to urinate. This can occur more frequently than normal. Despite the strong urge, the amount of urine may be small. The urge may not go away even after the woman empties her bladder. These are signs of a kidney infection. The American Pregnancy Association points out that leaking a bit of urine (incontinence) is a sign of UTI.
Pain
Pain while urinating may be one of the first symptoms of a kidney infection that can easily be recognized as being different from normal pregnancy symptoms. The pain may be more of a burning sensation as the urine comes out but it can also be focused in the lower abdomen. The Mayo Clinic suggests that when the infection spreads to the kidneys, pain may be felt in the back, side and in the groin. Pain can also be felt during sexual intercourse. The America Pregnancy Association suggests that woman will feel pressure, pain or tenderness in the area of the bladder due to the infection.
Abnormal Urine
The urine itself can be abnormal, signaling to the woman that something is wrong.
At first, the urine may be cloudy. As the infection spreads, such as to the kidneys, it may become foul smelling or stronger in odor. Blood and mucus may also be visible in the urine, explains the American Pregnancy Association.
Feeling Ill
The infection can cause a woman to feel ill. This is a red flag that the UTI has become a kidney infection. A fever, chills, nausea and vomiting are common with this type of infection. A fever during pregnancy, especially during the first trimester should be monitored closely and treated with fever-reducers under the advice of a medical care provider.
