From the moment when a woman during the pregnancy test discovers the cherished two bright stripes, there is no limit to joy. At the same time, the expectant mother is well aware that now she has a great responsibility, because the development of the child depends on what lifestyle she will lead. But is it possible to wish your child bad ?! But along with responsibility, any woman meets with some troubles and unexpected surprises. One of these circumstances is pyelonephritis during pregnancy. Interestingly, from a medical point of view, at any period of bearing a child, this disease is also called gestational.
What are the features of the course of this disease, which can cause pathology, and most importantly, how to treat? We will try to find answers to all these and some other questions.
Overview
Many people hear a word like pyelonephritis, but not everyone knows exactly what is hidden behind this term. This definition implies an inflammatory process in the kidneys. To be more precise - it affects the connective tissue. In the future, there is a defeat of the pyelocaliceal system (CHS). In this case, two forms of pyelonephritis are distinguished:
- Primary - appears just after a successful conception.
- Secondary - the woman had previously, but worsened during pregnancy.
In most cases, the right kidney is exposed to inflammation, namely gestational pyelonephritis during pregnancy. This disease poses a serious threat to both the mother and the child. For this reason, it is necessary to know the symptoms of the pathology, as well as to understand, because of what, in fact, it arises.
According to statistics, women of childbearing age are subject to these serious diseases, and 6-12% are expectant mothers. Moreover, even if someone had not previously had health complaints, doctors can give them a disappointing diagnosis.
Pathology development
How is the development of such a dangerous disease? This question worries every woman, especially when the diagnosis is already confirmed. In addition to the fact that there is a primary and secondary form of the disease, it is necessary to distinguish between the acute and chronic stages of this disease. And as it was noted at the very beginning of the article, gestational pyelonephritis during pregnancy is nothing more than the primary form of the disease, manifested only during gestation.
At later stages of gestation, the risk of pathology increases. But if the disease is diagnosed in a timely manner, the necessary course of treatment is carried out, then a favorable outcome is guaranteed.
Pyelonephritis is an infectious disease, so it is important to know what are the causes of its occurrence. It is no less important to understand the consequences that may end. But first, get acquainted with the symptoms.
Symptoms of pyelonephritis during pregnancy
Often, signs of kidney damage by the inflammatory process appear during pregnancy from 6 to 8 months. In general, the clinical picture of pyelonephritis in acute form may look as follows:
- Pain in the lumbar region, which becomes stronger with long walking.
- Frequent urination.
- Chills.
- Headache.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Fever.
- Muscle pain.
- Discoloration of urine.
- Body temperature rises to 39 ° C and above.
- Signs of intoxication.
During pregnancy, symptoms may appear in any of the trimesters. In this case, pain of varying intensity can give to the abdomen or thigh. The acute form of the disease is characterized by the fact that the pain intensifies when any movement is made, be it a cough or a deep breath.
Symptoms of pyelonephritis during acute pregnancy are felt suddenly, and body temperature rises sharply and mainly in the evening, there is severe pain in the lumbar region.
In this case, it is necessary to call an ambulance in a timely manner, after which the woman will be hospitalized urgently and she will be provided with medical care. Treatment is usually carried out in a hospital setting. With proper treatment after 1-2 weeks, all signs of the disease will disappear.
Chronic stage of the disease
If inflammation of the kidneys is chronic, then signs of this may be:
- Lower back pain.
- Constant discomfort.
- Feeling of weakness.
- Fatigue and lethargy.
- Low-grade body temperature.
Chronic pyelonephritis during pregnancy is different in that it proceeds sluggishly, and periods of remission and exacerbation occur only periodically.
The pain is usually not so strong, although when moving can intensify. With minor physical exertion fatigue increases. As medical practice shows, often chronic pyelonephritis can be detected during a planned ultrasound.
The peculiarity of this stage of the disease is that it can worsen at any time, since there are plenty of factors for this. Take, though, that the woman’s immunity during pregnancy is weakened, especially at the initial stage. Therefore, if a chronic inflammation of the kidneys is detected, the expectant mother is now under vigilant supervision of a doctor.
What could be the reason?
Of course, like any other disease, pyelonephritis does not occur just like that, and there are reasons for this. Interestingly, the process of bearing a child in itself may be the root cause of the appearance of symptoms of pyelonephritis in women during pregnancy. And that's why.
With the growth of the fetus, the uterus also increases in size. The moment may come when the genital organ begins to affect the ureters, squeezing them. As a result, urine output is already difficult. And the larger the uterus becomes, the greater the pressure. Also, a change in the hormonal background of the female body contributes to this. However, this is just one of the factors, the causative agents of the disease itself are:
- E. coli;
- gram-negative ectobacteria;
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa;
- Proteus;
- enterococcus;
- Staphylococcus aureus;
- streptococcus;
- fungus like Candida.
All these microorganisms and bacteria come from outside, but some of them are permanent residents of the human body. And in most cases, the causative agents of this dangerous disease enter the kidneys by the hematogenous route. Infection through the urinary tract is an extremely rare case.
There is another factor in favor of pyelonephritis in early pregnancy. During this period, the placenta in the active mode produces estrogens, which without knowing it form a favorable environment for some infectious pathogens. In particular, we are talking about E. coli.
Dangerous effects
Like any disease of an infectious nature, pyelonephritis negatively affects its course of pregnancy. In the absence of proper treatment, inflammation affects the deeper tissues of the kidneys. In turn, this leads to glomerulonephritis, and as a result, it all ends with renal failure. Sometimes phlegmon or kidney abscess may begin to develop. Fortunately, this is rare. Nevertheless, hardly anyone wants to get into this risk group.
The complications described above concern the woman directly. But you need to understand that the child is also at risk. The consequences of pyelonephritis during pregnancy in this case are also disappointing:
- The death of the embryo in early pregnancy.
- Premature delivery.
- Hypoxia of the fetus.
- Intrauterine infection.
As you can see, it doesn’t end with anything good. The child may die, but if it survives, it will be born prematurely, with low weight. Or he may have severe neurological abnormalities.
Diagnosis of the disease
If under normal circumstances it is not difficult to diagnose pyelonephritis, then there are some difficulties for pregnant women. First of all, this is due to the fact that the use of most diagnostic methods is very limited. And first of all, this applies to radiation equipment, because of which the child will begin to develop leukemia.
In this regard, the diagnosis of pyelonephritis during pregnancy is confirmed or refuted on the basis of laboratory tests, including:
- General blood test and biochemistry - will show the number of leukocytes, which is greatly increased during the inflammatory process. Also, such a characteristic as the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (in the case of pathology, it is high) will be determined.
- General urine test - allows you to identify if there are white blood cells, proteins, bacteria.
- Urinalysis according to Nechiporenko - here too it comes down to the detection of a large number of white blood cells, which confirms the presence of pyelonephritis.
- Zimnitsky's test - in this case, the ability of the kidneys to concentrate urine is determined. With pathology, this ability is significantly reduced.
- Ultrasound - this examination will reveal the structural changes in the pelvic organs.
With this integrated approach, you can establish an accurate diagnosis, and if necessary, identify pyelonephritis during pregnancy, which proceeds in a latent form. As for instrumental methods for diagnosing pyelonephritis, they are not used because of the high risk of infection. In particular, this refers to catheterization of the ureters and bladder.
How is the treatment
If pyelonephritis is detected in a pregnant woman, the primary task is to restore the outflow of urine. To do this, weaken the pressure of the uterus on the kidneys and urinary tract. In this case, positional therapy helps a lot. That is, the expectant mother spends most of her sleep on her back, and in the supine position, mainly on her left. During the day, you need to take a knee-elbow pose several times and is in this position for 5-15 minutes.
In the event that the outflow of urine is restored or has not been impaired, the doctor prescribes a course of treatment for pyelonephritis during pregnancy, which includes:
- antibiotics
- herbal remedies;
- herbal preparations;
- antispasmodics;
- diuretics.
Moreover, the therapy in each case is individual.
Treatment of incipient pyelonephritis usually comes down to phytotherapy using renal fees, kidney tea. A good tool is a decoction of wild rose or lingonberry leaf. If the disease is diagnosed in the first trimester, then the doctor prescribes antibiotics only in extreme cases.
In the acute form of pyelonephritis, the treatment course consists of taking drugs included in the group of penicillins, aminoglycosides, cephalosporins and macrolides. As for tetracycline and streptomycin, pregnant women are strictly forbidden to take them.
In order to avoid exacerbation of pyelonephritis during pregnancy, only the attending physician should deal with the selection of the necessary drugs. For this, the first step is to determine the categories of the pathogen, as well as its sensitivity to a particular antibiotic.
Treatment of the chronic form of pyelonephritis is postponed to the postpartum period, but during pregnancy a woman is always under observation. At the same time, tests for future mothers with these diseases have to be taken more often than healthy pregnant women.
Folk remedies
Along with traditional medical treatment, folk remedies that are time-tested can help cope with pyelonephritis. The following medications are highly effective:
- A decoction of corn stigmas. A tablespoon of raw materials (corn stigmas) is poured into a glass of boiled water, after which the mixture is cooked over low heat for 20 minutes. Then the broth is infused for 30 minutes and it can be used. Only strain before use. Take the drug should be 2 tbsp. spoons with a three-hour break. In this case, it is necessary to follow a salt-free diet and limit fluid intake.
- Yarrow infusion helps to effectively fight pyelonephritis in women during pregnancy. Two teaspoons of chopped herbs are poured with boiling water (1 tbsp.), And then let it brew (60 minutes). Take in the amount of 3 tbsp. spoons 5 times a day.
- Tincture of cornflowers. A teaspoon of flowers is poured with boiling water in an amount of 1 cup, and then let it brew for 2 hours (preferably in a thermos). Take a quarter cup 3 times a day 20 minutes before meals. This tool has a diuretic effect, so it can be used for swelling, which is caused by inflammation of the urinary system.
Only in no case do not self-medicate, as this leads to irreversible consequences.
As for the listed folk remedies, it is advisable to consult your doctor before using them to avoid undesirable complications.
Measures for the prevention of pyelonephritis during pregnancy
The need for prevention to prevent any kind of disease is unlikely anyone will challenge. You can avoid the appearance of an unwanted disease, for which useful recommendations serve:
- Personal hygiene.
- Maintain a proper and balanced diet.
- If you want to go to the toilet, do not tolerate!
- Most of the time is in the fresh air.
- If possible, hypothermia should be avoided.
- If a woman has any diseases that are still in an acute form, they should be treated. Moreover, before conception, otherwise then in the event of their exacerbation, there may be problems.
- From time to time increase the strength of your immunity.
- In the absence of leg swelling, consume more fluid, but within reasonable limits. And this is 2 liters per day, including soups, jelly and juicy fruits.
- It is useful for pregnant women to do special gymnastics, which will reduce pressure on the pelvic organs, including the kidneys.
- Regularly undergo all necessary examinations.
Well, and most importantly - you should not ignore the appearance of the first signs of pyelonephritis during pregnancy, to exclude its further development.
After all, every woman wants, in the end, to hug a healthy, full-fledged and happy child. For any mom, this will be the best reward!