Will a urinary tract infection harm my baby?

A regular urinary tract infection that is restricted to the lower urinary tract, such as the urethra or bladder, does not pose any danger to the unborn child at first. It is important to treat the infection immediately with medication to prevent the inflammation from rising. In particular, inflammation of the renal pelvis and the associated risk of systemic infection can pose a danger to the child. In order to counteract the spread of the inflammation, it is best to treat it with antibiotics in the early stages, i.e. in cases of “typical” urinary tract infection symptoms.

Complications

Inflammation of the lower urinary tract, such as the urethra or bladder, can expand or rise and then also affect the renal pelvis. In such a case, doctors speak of pyelonephritis, i.e. an inflammation of the renal pelvis. In addition to the typical symptoms of a urinary tract infection, pyelonephritis manifests itself mainly through fever and flank or back pain.

Untreated, inflammation of the renal pelvis can lead to kidney damage, kidney failure or, in the worst case, even blood poisoning. During pregnancy, the risk of premature birth or miscarriage increases due to kidney infection and the complications associated with it. In order to prevent possible risks for mother and child in advance, physicians strongly advise pregnant women to take medication to treat a urinary tract infection. A urinary tract infection that spreads to a renal pelvis inflammation can increase the risk of miscarriage. For this reason, antibiotic therapy of a urinary tract infection is very important, even for pregnant women who have no symptoms.

Can a urinary tract infection be a sign of pregnancy?

A urinary tract infection is usually not a sign of pregnancy. Due to the hormonal changes during pregnancy, an infection of the urinary tract may be easier to develop, but even in non-pregnant women, urinary tract infections may occur for various reasons.