Having cystitis while pregnant: let’s talk about it!

Urinary tract infection, also called cystitis, is a particularly common condition in women. Although it is benign when treated quickly, it can worsen into pyelonephritis (kidney infection) if left untreated. This risk also exists when you have cystitis while pregnant: the mother and her future baby can suffer from untreated cystitis. This is why it is important to take care of it quickly and not ignore it. As an e-concept store dedicated to female intimacy and pregnancy, it seemed important to bring together in one article all our knowledge and information about cystitis during pregnancy. What are the risks? And the symptoms, are they the same when pregnant? How can it be relieved and when to worry? How can it be treated without impacting the baby? We answer all the questions and much more.

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Having cystitis while pregnant: why is it more common?

Before explaining to you what the risks of cystitis are during pregnancy and how to get rid of it, let's briefly review what cystitis is, its causes and why this condition is more common during pregnancy. Many of you have asked us about these points.

What is cystitis?

Cystitis, also called “urinary tract infection”, is an infection of the bladder. It occurs when the bladder flora is colonized by bad bacteria: like the vaginal flora, the bladder has its own microbiota (its own balance between bad and good bacteria). When the balance is broken due to the increase in bad bacteria, it is an infection. This condition can develop and worsen by attacking the kidneys: this is pyelonephritis.

💡 Do you still have questions about cystitis? Our professionals will answer you in our FAQ on cystitis .

What causes cystitis?

The causes of cystitis are diverse. They are linked to lifestyle but not only.

• Stagnation of urine in the bladder: When urine stagnates in the bladder for too long, it can lead to the growth of bad bacteria. This can happen 1) because you are not drinking enough, 2) because something is preventing your bladder from emptying (stones), or 3) because you are pregnant and the growing baby is acting on your bladder organs;
• Entry of bad bacteria: Bad bacteria most often arrive through feces. Since the urethra is located in the female genital tract very close to the anus, bad bacteria can be led to enter the urethra and bladder, either during defecation or because of a permeable urethra.

Why are there more risks of having cystitis during pregnancy?

Cystitis is more common during pregnancy for several reasons:

• In pregnant women, peristalsis is reduced (in other words, intestinal movements are slowed down). We then observe a stagnation of urine in the upper urinary tract;
• In addition, as the baby grows inside the womb, the uterus takes up space and changes the organization of the organs. This causes compression and dilation of the bladder and ureters (the tubes that connect the kidneys and bladder).

Both of these things can cause changes in how the bladder empties and cause urine to pool in the bladder, increasing the risk of developing a urinary tract infection.

💡 Did you know? If you are naturally prone to repeated cystitis, you will be more likely to develop it during your pregnancy because pregnancy will add an additional risk factor.

Having cystitis when pregnant: what are the risks?

While cystitis is a common and usually benign condition for many pregnant women, it can be dangerous for the unborn baby and the mother-to-be.

Risks for the mother: kidney infection (pyelonephritis)

The first complication of untreated cystitis for pregnant women is the same as for a non-pregnant person: the occurrence of a kidney infection (pyelonephritis). Generally, this happens after several days of urinary tract infection but in some people the infection can be faster and develop in the kidneys more quickly. The symptoms of pyelonephritis that should worry you are: the onset of fever and pain in the kidneys (in the lower abdomen and/or lower back).

Risks for the baby

An untreated urinary tract infection in pregnant women can also pose risks to the baby. The presence and multiplication of bad bacteria can in fact lead to:

• premature birth,
• delayed fetal growth,
• or even infection of the fetus.

These risks are rare but need to be taken seriously. This is why you should not wait to get treated when you notice the symptoms of cystitis during pregnancy.

Symptoms of Cystitis During Pregnancy and When to Worry

The symptoms of cystitis during pregnancy are the same as those of cystitis outside of pregnancy.

• Burning during urination;
• Feeling of weight in the lower abdomen;
• Pain in the lower abdomen;
• Urgent need to urinate without passing much urine;
• Cloudy urine, giving off an unusual odor, there may be traces of blood.

The difficulty is that many of the symptoms of UTI are symptoms that can be experienced during pregnancy; recognizing a UTI can be complicated. Burning sensations during urination and cloudy or even blood-stained urine are characteristic symptoms of cystitis during pregnancy.

When to worry?

Since untreated cystitis can be dangerous for the fetus or even for the mother-to-be if it develops into pyelonephritis, it is important to be concerned as soon as the first symptoms appear and persist for a few days.

The symptoms that should really worry you and lead you to consult an emergency are the appearance of blood in the urine, kidney pain (often located in the lower back on the left or right, or even on both sides) and the appearance of fever. These symptoms are characteristic of pyelonephritis (kidney infection), i.e. the worsening of a urinary tract infection.

How to treat cystitis when pregnant?

Treating cystitis is easy with antibiotics. The difficulty lies more in the time needed to make appointments and do tests, even though the symptoms of cystitis can be unpleasant to live with.

Consult a doctor if symptoms occur

Although cystitis can be treated very well with a single dose of antibiotics, the diagnosis to determine the right antibiotic can take a few days. This is why, to avoid suffering for too long and risking worsening, it is essential to consult a doctor quickly.

The diagnosis takes place in 3 stages

1. At the first appointment, the doctor will examine you and prescribe a fasting urine test (ECBU) to be done in the laboratory;
2. The urine culture is a test that will determine the bacteria that has colonized your bladder and is causing you pain. It must be done on an empty stomach. The results are sent within 24 to 48 hours by the laboratory;
3. Once you receive the results, you must make another appointment with your doctor so that he or she can prescribe the correct antibiotic.

Relieve cystitis during pregnancy

Since diagnosis and treatment can take a few days, it may be necessary to find solutions to relieve cystitis during pregnancy naturally. If this does not treat it, it will allow you to wait and live better with cystitis.

The solution to relieve cystitis naturally during pregnancy is simple, but effective – I promise. It involves drinking plenty of water. In fact, in the case of cystitis, it is the stagnation of urine in the bladder that causes the development of bacteria and pain. The more you drink, the more you will circulate the urine, the less you will feel the burning sensations when urinating. For variety, try herbal teas: it is another way to drink water.

Take antibiotic treatment to cleanse your urinary flora

Once the treatment is prescribed, take it. It can take two forms: a sachet to be taken at once in a large glass of water or antibiotics to be taken over several days (especially in the case of recurring cystitis). This antibiotic treatment will eliminate the bad bacteria that develop in the bladder and can travel up to the kidneys.

Regenerate your urinary flora to avoid recurrence

The limitation of this antibiotic is that it tends to clean out both good bacteria and bad bacteria. Also, it may be necessary to rebuild your urinary flora to avoid rapid recolonization by bad bacteria and a recurrence. In addition to drinking plenty of water, we recommend taking probiotics–good bacteria–that will repopulate your flora and protect you.

🌈 On Gapianne, we have selected probiotics for you to reshape your urinary microbiota. Our favorite is the Miye intimate and intestinal flora probiotic cure . Made in France 🇫🇷 and vegan 🌱, these food supplements to be taken once a day are suitable for pregnant women. You can therefore take them without risk following a urinary tract infection during your pregnancy.

How to prevent cystitis when pregnant?

Cystitis is linked to different factors. Some of which you can do nothing about (how your body works, your bladder microbiota) and others on which you can act to prevent the onset of cystitis. However, since pregnancy is an aggravating risk factor for cystitis, it is possible that you develop it even if you are careful: don't feel guilty ❤️.

Drink a lot (especially cranberries)

This is the first piece of advice and it is certainly the one to remember if you are prone to urinary tract infections: drink a lot . It is recommended to drink 1.5L of water per day (including food and drinks), try to stick to this goal. To help you drink more, do not hesitate to have a water bottle with you at all times to realize the quantity of water you drink and to consume herbal teas to vary the pleasures.

🌱 Did you know? Cranberries are known for their action against urinary tract infections. Cranberries contain proanthocyanidins (PACs) which limit the adhesion of the bad bacteria Escherichia coli to the urothelial cells that line the bladder. This is why drinking cranberry infusions and cranberry juices can be interesting to fight against urinary tract infections.

Limit acidifying foods

Acid-forming foods (such as coffee, meat, bread, and dairy products) can increase the acidity of urine. However, the bacteria Escherichia Coli, which is very often responsible for cystitis, grows more easily in an acidic environment.

Have good personal hygiene

While urinary tract infections are not necessarily linked to a lack of personal hygiene, poor personal hygiene increases the risk of contracting them. Good personal hygiene involves:

• Change your underwear regularly: this may seem obvious to you, but it's better to write it down anyway! Changing your underwear every twelve hours helps limit the development of bacteria;
• Wash your vulva daily: with clear water or with a soap with the right pH, it is essential to wash yourself daily. 🌈 At Gapianne, we really like the solid intimate cleansing soap bar from the Baûbo brand. 100% natural, made in France 🇫🇷, organic 🌱 and gynecologically tested, this soap was designed specifically for your vulva. As a bonus, it is solid which limits packaging!

• Wipe from front to back: to avoid bringing bacteria from your anus to your vulva, it is essential to always wipe from your vulva to your anus. You can use a wipe for perfect intimate hygiene. 🌈 On Gapianne, we have selected for you the organic and biodegradable intimate wipes from the My Lubie brand. 99.6% natural 🌱, these wipes are flushable in the toilet and allow you impeccable hygiene.

 

 

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Protecting yourself during risky sex

Bladder contamination by bad bacteria can be induced by sexual practice, and in particular by anal penetration. To limit the transfer of bacteria, wearing a condom can protect you.

🌈 In Gapianne, we love the ultra-thin condoms from the My Lubie brand. Made of latex, they are vegan. Ultra-thin, they offer great sensations and allow you to live your desire without constraints.