If urine can no longer flow from the kidney into the bladder, it backs up in the kidneys. In further consequence the kidneys swell. The medical profession speaks of a kidney congestion or hydroneophrosis. Kidney congestion during pregnancy can sometimes have dangerous consequences for the unborn child.
What is kidney congestion?
If the pregnant woman complains of very severe abdominal pain, which was localized mainly on the right side, it is often a so-called kidney congestion. In the course of pregnancy, a slight urinary stasis can occur again and again, which is mainly reflected in the urinary tract as well as kidneys. This is usually harmless. However, it increases the risk of urinary tract infection. If urine flow is completely blocked, kidney congestion is not without danger. Kidney congestion during pregnancy is a serious matter. The symptoms vary. Pregnant women sometimes complain only of a slight pulling sensation, although severe pain, nausea, fever or vomiting are also possible. Even urination can cause severe pain in some circumstances.
Causes of kidney congestion during pregnancy
There are many causes. Due to the fact that the female organism changes a lot, the urinary system is also affected by pregnancy. The amount of water in the body increases by 40 percent. For this reason, the kidneys, which act as a classic filtering station, have significantly more work. The body fluid is filtered in the area of the outer kidney tissue (the renal cortex) and subsequently transported – through a so-called collecting tube – into the kidney. In the renal calyx, the urine is further passed to the renal pelvis; from there, the draining urine is transferred to the urinary bladder. After that, the urine is converted into urine and passes – from the bladder via the urethra – out of the woman’s body. However, in order to cope with the significantly increased amount of fluid, the renal calices, renal pelvises and also the draining urinary tract have to stretch – already from the 10th week of pregnancy. In addition, the peristalsis of the urinary tract becomes much slower, so that the muscle movement for urine removal is “restricted” or “slackens”. All these factors combine to produce a significantly slower urine flow. This aspect alone is described as “mild kidney congestion”. 90 percent of all pregnant women are affected. However, this is a harmless form that is also free of symptoms. If the pregnancy is already advanced, the growing child requires more space, so that the uterus also grows. As a result, the ureters are strongly squeezed. The more the outflow of urine is inhibited or impaired as a result, the more severe the kidney congestion. Three percent of all pregnant women are affected by this form of kidney congestion. It should be noted that both kidneys can be affected. Statistically, however, only the right kidney causes discomfort more often. This is because the left kidney or the left urinary tract is protected by the intestine and the uterus mainly presses on the right side. If the urine only flows slowly, the so-called flushing effect, which has a cleansing aspect, is also reduced. Due to the reduced flushing effect, infections in the urethra are favored. In addition, the so-called glomerular filtration rates are also significantly increased, so that significantly more glucose (blood sugar) is released into the urine. This is another reason why infections – glucose is a wonderful breeding ground for bacteria – are possible. It is important that urinary tract infections are treated. Sometimes untreated infections can rise directly to the kidneys and subsequently cause chronic renal pelvic inflammation. Sometimes bacteria in the urine can also be responsible for causing pre-eclampsia. Low birth weight of the baby or premature delivery can also be triggered. For this reason, it is important that at the slightest suspicion of a urinary tract infection, the pregnant woman sees a doctor. Other causes sometimes include urinary bladder stones, kidney stones or even cervical cancer, colon cancer, bladder cancer or urinary tract cancer.
At what point is a visit to the doctor due?
If the pregnant woman complains of very severe flank pain or even abdominal pain, or if fever, nausea and vomiting occur, or if there is also blood in the urine, a doctor should be contacted immediately. All these symptoms indicate a kidney blockage. If there is even a suspicion of kidney congestion, a doctor should also be contacted – to be on the safe side – to examine the pregnant woman to determine whether kidney congestion is present or whether another illness is responsible for the symptoms. If the pregnant woman has the feeling that her bladder is never completely empty, this may already be the first sign of kidney congestion. Sometimes a low pressure when urinating or only a little urine, but also frequent urge to urinate at night, can also indicate a kidney congestion.
Prevention of kidney congestion during pregnancy.
Pregnant women, however, should not constantly worry that they will soon suffer from kidney congestion; even if perhaps the first signs (night urge to urinate, the feeling of the bladder never completely emptied) have appeared. Since pregnant women always go to the doctor for check-ups and the doctor makes sure that everything is within the normal range, it can be assumed that any early signs will be treated immediately and that there will be no acute or severe form of kidney congestion. In many cases, pregnant women also do not notice having mild kidney congestion.
