Bladder infections are common during pregnancy because during this time the weight of the uterus makes it more difficult to completely empty the bladder. Many obstetricians' offices routinely check for the presence of bacteria in urine at each prenatal appointment. Pregnant women may have bladder infections with or without symptoms. It is important to get proper and prompt treatment to prevent the infection from progressing into a kidney infection and possibly starting preterm labor.
Step 1
Contact your doctor or health care provider if you have any symptoms of a bladder infection. Baby Center explains that symptoms of a bladder infection include painful urination, lower abdominal pain and the frequent urge to urinate, even more often than what is normally expected during pregnancy.
Step 2
Take the prescribed antibiotics that your doctor orders for the entire prescribed length of time. Tell your doctor if you have any known drug allergies to prevent allergic reactions from occurring. To completely eliminate the entire infection, take the full course of antibiotics. Do not stop taking the medication when your symptoms go away.
Step 3
Return to your doctor's office after you finish the antibiotic treatment for repeat testing to make sure that the infection has completely been eliminated. Your doctor may also let you wait until your next scheduled prenatal appointment. If you experience frequent and recurring bladder infections, your doctor may have you take a daily low dose of antibiotics for the remainder of your pregnancy to prevent infections from returning.
Tips and Warnings
- Notify your doctor if your symptoms persist after you finish your antibiotics or if you develop worsening symptoms, such as a fever or back pain, which could indicate that the infection has progressed to the kidneys. Drink six to eight glasses of water a day and urinate frequently to help prevent bladder infections from occurring, notes the American Pregnancy Association.
