9 months pregnant young woman holding hand on her belly, she is sitting on bed and hold ultrasound image of baby, wondering about the urological risks of pregnancy.

What are the Urological Risks of Pregnancy?

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The many complications that can occur during pregnancy, include urological problems. Want to know what are the urological risks of pregnancy? Keep reading below!

Kidney Stones

For about 10 percent of people, kidney stones will occur during their lifetime. When it occurs during pregnancy, it can be a complex problem that is harder to treat. Abdominal pain and blood in the urine are symptoms of this problem, and an ultrasound can confirm that one or more stones are present. During pregnancy, this condition is often treated with simple pain management to allow the stones to pass naturally.

Urinary Tract Infections

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a common occurrence in women. When these infections occur during pregnancy, it can cause increased discomfort, including burning during urination and an increased frequency of urination. Because pregnant women are considered to have compromised immune systems, they may be more susceptible to these infections and may find their UTIs to be stronger and more difficult to get rid of. However, antibiotics can generally be prescribed to cure the infection.

Urinary Incontinence

During pregnancy, particularly during the third trimester, urinary incontinence is common. The increased pressure that is put on the bladder by the fetus can cause the sphincter that holds in urine to not work as well as before. This can cause incontinence at any time, though many women experience it more often when they cough, sneeze, or laugh. This incontinence may continue after the baby is born. The age and weight of the pregnant woman have been found to be factors in how likely she is to experience this loss of bladder control. Women over 40 are particularly susceptible to this problem, as are those who experienced overactive bladders before pregnancy.

Frequent Urination

Many pregnant women are plagued by frequent urination that gets worse as their pregnancy progresses. This can cause disruptions in everyday life and make it difficult to sleep. The extra fluid in the body during pregnancy contributes to this problem, but there are a few ways to reduce the severity of it. By avoiding drinks that have a diuretic effect, such as coffee and tea, women can avoid making the situation worse. Another tip is to stay well hydrated during the day and drinking less in the evening to avoid too many nighttime interruptions.

Make an appointment with Georgia Urology today to learn more about urological risks during pregnancy.