According to the American Pregnancy Association, urinary tract infections occur more common during pregnancy than otherwise due to changes in the urinary tract. As the uterus grows, it puts increased weight on the bladder, potentially blocking urine drainage and causing infection. Some women have long touted both cranberry juice and pills as an effective home remedy for UTIs. Discuss with your doctor whether this is a safe treatment for you during your pregnancy.
Cranberry Pills
Dr. Lynn Stothers, in the "Canadian Journal of Urology" in 2002, studied 50 nonpregnant women and reported that taking two cranberry pills daily decreases UTIs by more than 50 percent per year, in addition to decreasing yearly antibiotic use. However, research specific to cranberry pills, and not cranberries or cranberry juice, in pregnant women is limited. One 2009 review by Norwegian researcher C.S. Nergård makes no distinction between pills and juice, but Nergård writes that cranberries should not be used during pregnancy and lactation due to lack of safety information. Researchers in a 2008 review in the "Canadian Journal of Clinical Pharmacology" are of the opposite opinion. They also make no distinction between pills and juice but report there is no direct evidence that harm is done to the mother or fetus as a result of consuming cranberry during pregnancy and thus consider cranberry treatment for UTIs during pregnancy a valuable option.
Safety Contradictions
MedlinePlus, meanwhile, suggests that you avoid supplements containing cranberry products while pregnant, as there is no research on the safety of cranberry pills during pregnancy and breastfeeding. However, both MayoClinic.com and the American Pregnancy Association report that cranberries and cranberry juice are safe to consume while pregnant or breastfeeding. Because of these conflicting recommendations, it is wise to consult your physician before supplementing your diet with cranberries while pregnant.
Prevention and Treatment
There are safe ways to prevent UTIs while pregnant. These include drinking plenty of water, urinating as soon as you feel the need to, urinating before and after intercourse, wiping from front to back and wearing cotton underwear.
The most frequently recommended treatment for UTIs while you are pregnant is antibiotics. Your doctor can choose an antibiotic that is safe for both you and your baby.
Considerations
Cranberry can interact with some prescription medications. Cranberry may increase how long warfarin, a blood thinner that slows blood clotting, is in the body, leading to an increased risk for bruising and bleeding. If you are on a medication that is broken down by the liver, cranberry may decrease how quickly the liver breaks down your medication. Talking to your doctor before taking cranberry helps ensure it is a safe option for you.
References
- American Pregnancy Association: Urinary Tract Infection During Pregnancy
- PubMed: A Randomized Trial to Evaluate Effectiveness and Cost Effectiveness of Naturopathic Cranberry Products as Prophylaxis Against Urinary Tract Infection in Women
- PubMed: Cranberries for Prevention of Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections
- MedlinePlus: Cranberry
- MayoClinic.com: Cranberry
- PubMed: Safety and Efficacy of Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) During Pregnancy and Lactation
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