Women are more prone to urinary tract infections (UTIs) than men. According to the American Pregnancy Association, pregnant women are even more likely to develop a UTI from week six through week 24 of the pregnancy for a variety of reasons. Treatment of a UTI is important during pregnancy to prevent complications that may harm the baby or the pregnancy. An untreated UTI can lead to further organ infections, like kidney infection, that can cause early labor or a low birth weight baby.
Bladder Pressure
The urinary tract changes during pregnancy, which can contribute to an increased risk of infection, according to the American Pregnancy Association. A pregnant woman's uterus grows and rests directly on the bladder. The increased pressure placed on the bladder can make it more difficult for urine to exit the body the way it should. When urine is blocked from exiting the body, the result can be an infection. According to BabyCenter.com, the bladder loses tone during pregnancy, which makes it more difficult for a woman to empty her bladder. Bladder reflux also can develop, which allows urine to flow back up the ureters. When the urine makes its way back up to the kidneys and other organs, the result can be any number of organ infections, including bladder or kidney infection.
Progesterone Increase
BabyCenter.com suggests that the increased level of progesterone during pregnancy can cause the ureters to lose muscle tone. The ureters connect the kidneys and the bladder. Progesterone can cause the ureters to close, making the urine exit the body at a slower rate. It may even seem as if the ureters are blocked in some cases, making the woman feel as if she has to urinate when nothing exits the body.
Urine Changes
During pregnancy, urine loses some of its natural acidity. This can make it easier for glucose (sugar) and bacteria to thrive. Sugar feeds bacteria, which only exacerbates the changes. Urine already contains bacteria and other potentially infectious agents. Because urine is exiting the body at a slower rate during pregnancy, the fluids are allowed to remain in the urinary tract for a longer period of time, making it more likely for a woman to develop an infection. Emptying the bladder when the urge to urinate occurs is important, especially during pregnancy, to reduce the risk of developing a UTI.
