How to Prevent Urinary Tract Infection during Pregnancy
Pregnant women tend to be more susceptible to urinary tract infections, what are the causes? Then how to prevent urinary tract infection during pregnancy? So that's what we will explain in this article.
Causes of urinary tract infection during pregnancy
Hormonal changes during pregnancy make pregnant women tend to urinate more often. These hormonal changes make the amount of blood and blood flow to the kidneys increase, so that during pregnancy the body will produce more urine.
In addition to the increased amount of urine during pregnancy, the size of the uterus that enlarges with increasing gestational age can also put pressure on the bladder. These are the things that make pregnant women feel the urge to urinate more often.
If you hold your urine frequently, the flow of urine in the urinary tract and bladder can be disrupted. This can make it easier for germs to multiply and cause urinary tract infections.
Signs and Symptoms of Urinary Tract Infection
There are also urinary tract infections that are asymptomatic. However, urinary tract infections in general will cause symptoms such as:
- Body fever
- Pain and discomfort in the pelvic area, lower abdomen, and lower back
- Feeling pain and burning when urinating
- The urine that is issued is cloudy, has a pungent smell, and even bleeds
- Feeling sick during intercourse
In addition to these symptoms, urinary tract infections can also cause nausea and vomiting.
How to Prevent Urinary Tract Infection during Pregnancy
To prevent urinary tract infections during pregnancy, you can do the following:
1. Drink enough water
Urination is a natural process for the body to remove excess fluids and waste substances from the body. By drinking enough water, the body of pregnant women will produce more urine so that they will urinate more often. This is good because it cleans the urinary tract naturally from germs.
In addition, drinking enough water is also good for preventing dehydration during pregnancy. A sign that during pregnancy the body has been getting enough fluids is marked by light yellow or clear urine.
However, before going to bed at night you should avoid drinking too much water because it can make pregnant women wake up often to urinate.
2. Avoid the habit of holding back urination
The habit of holding back urination too often can lead to urinary tract infections. Therefore, pregnant women need to avoid this habit.
If you feel the urge to urinate, you should immediately go to the toilet and urinate completely. When pregnant women are urinating should not be in a hurry.
In addition, so that pregnant women do not go back and forth to the bathroom too often to urinate, you should not consume drinks that are diuretic, such as tea, coffee, and fizzy drinks that contain caffeine.
3. Routinely clean the feminine area
During pregnancy you need to regularly clean the female area in the right way, especially after every time you urinate. This is so that germs do not easily enter the urinary tract. The way to clean it is by washing it with clean water while wiping it from front to back.
To keep the feminine area dry and comfortable, you should wear underwear that is not too tight and made of materials that can absorb sweat well, such as cotton. Don't forget to change your underwear twice a day.
Also read articles about: How to Treat Urinary Tract Infections Naturally
That's how to prevent urinary tract infection during pregnancy, if during pregnancy you experience symptoms of urinary tract infections then you should immediately consult a gynecologist to be examined and get the right treatment.
