Kidney pain during pregnancy

Symptoms right/left

As a differential diagnosis of both right-sided and left-sided pain, in addition to insufficient drinking, kidney stones and ascending urinary tract infections, tension and hardening (myogelosis) of the muscles surrounding the spine are also possible. The left kidney is anatomically higher than the right kidney. For this reason, it can be roughly said that pain that comes from the left kidney tends to have a slightly higher starting point.

These estimates are very vague, since the kidneys of every person have different heights. However, the differential diagnosis of deeper pain is more likely to be caused by muscular tension next to the spine. Kidney pain during pregnancy, which is accompanied by fever, should always be clarified by a doctor.

Complaints with fever generally indicate the presence of an infection. If kidney pain occurs in addition, an inflammation of the renal pelvis (pyelonephritis) should be considered. This must be treated adequately with antibiotics, especially during pregnancy, to avoid complications.

Untreated, there is a risk of urosepsis. In the worst case, this can threaten the life of mother and child. As a rule, however, an inflammation of the kidney heals well and without consequences with appropriate treatment.

The editorship recommends in addition: Inflammation of the renal pelvis and fever in the pregnancyKidney pain during pregnancy occurs relatively frequently, can have different causes and should not be treated carelessly, since they can become very dangerous on the one hand by the fact that they can release premature contractions. As the uterus becomes very large during pregnancy, it can displace surrounding structures. If it presses on the ureter, bladder or the kidney itself, it can cause urinary retention.

On the one hand, this is painful, on the other hand it leads to a change in the excretion behaviour of those affected and can increase the risk of inflammation of the kidney tissue. If sudden movements of the embryo cause the uterus to expand for a short time, severe flank pain also occurs, but it subsides just as suddenly as it has been shown to. If the kidneys become symptomatic due to such a mechanical defect, it may help to change their position. In a particularly large number of patients, kneeling down and making a hump are found to be pain-relieving.