Cystitis during pregnancy: causes, symptoms and treatment

Frequent urge to go to the toilet is perceived by many women as a sign of pregnancy. Indeed, there is some truth to this. The fact is that when a fertilized egg descends into the uterus, the uterus itself becomes very sensitive, it quickly grows and moves. Even a small amount of fluid in the bladder makes a woman go to the toilet. The bladder is nearby, therefore, it experiences extraordinary pressure. Subsequently, the uterus will rise slightly, and the bladder will not be so sensitive. But in the early stages, frequent urge to urinate can indeed be considered a sign of pregnancy. That is how women often miss the main and first symptoms of cystitis. Subsequently, when frequent urination is accompanied by pain, discomfort and poor health - it can be assumed that the woman has cystitis.

Cystitis is an infectious disease of an inflammatory nature that develops in the mucous membranes of the bladder. Women are most often affected by the disease, since their urinary canal is short and wide, this creates favorable conditions for the penetration of microbes. But most often, women suffer from cystitis during pregnancy - almost every third expectant mother has a diagnosis. In this article you will learn about the causes and symptoms of cystitis during pregnancy, get acquainted with the main methods of treating the disease, and also read the safety measures that will help you avoid this disease.

Causes of cystitis during pregnancy

In general, cystitis is a common disease in women. Inflammation may be acute or chronic. But why are pregnant women susceptible to infection? Why does cystitis occur amid expectation of a child?

1. The causative agent of cystitis is E. coli, which enters the urinary canal from the anus. This can happen only in one case - with improper hygiene. Various fungi, staphylococcus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, chlamydia can be considered the cause of cystitis. These pathogens can enter the urinary tract due to unprotected sex and sexual transmission from a partner. Therefore, insufficient hygiene can be considered the main cause of the development of cystitis during pregnancy.
2. Changes in the hormonal background and microflora of the external genitalia create favorable conditions for the life and development of bacteria and microbes. That is why pregnant women are susceptible to cystitis.
3. Everyone knows that in pregnant women immunity is reduced. This is due to the fact that all the forces of the body are aimed at the growth and development of the child inside the mother. Because of this, the body's defenses are simply not able to fight even with minor bacteria and viruses. Perhaps, immunity at another time would have suppressed the causative agent of the infection, but during pregnancy, unfortunately, this is beyond his power.
4. Colds and hypothermia can also provoke an inflammatory process. Pregnant women need to carefully monitor their clothes and shoes so that they are worn according to the weather. Especially you need to keep your feet, lower back, abdomen warm, in no case should you sit on cold ground or concrete slabs.
5. Overheating can also trigger the development of cystitis. Baths and saunas are better not to visit. A hot bath and steaming of the legs are generally strictly contraindicated during pregnancy, they can lead to miscarriage.
6. Any allergic reaction is an excellent platform for the development of cystitis.Any allergen can be anything - cosmetics for intimate hygiene, food, synthetic clothing, etc.
7. If you have other diseases of the genitourinary system, this leads to secondary infection - in such cases, getting cystitis is much easier. The risk of developing the disease is high if there is an infectious inflammation of neighboring organs.
8. Cystitis can be much more developed if the body is weakened by overwork, frequent stresses suffered by diseases.
9. The inflammatory process in the pelvic organs can intensify in late pregnancy. This is due to the fact that the large weight of the fetus presses the blood arteries and the nutrition of these organs is disturbed. Often, cystitis in the late stages of pregnancy leads to a squeezing of the urethra.
10. Taking certain medications leads to a change in the balance of the vaginal microflora, which can cause the development of cystitis.

These are the main factors that can trigger the development of cystitis. But how to recognize the disease?

Symptoms of cystitis

As noted, cystitis can be chronic or acute. Acute cystitis develops very quickly and it is characterized by more obvious symptoms - the disease is difficult to confuse with something else. In acute cystitis, a woman feels frequent urination, little urine is released. During urination, a woman feels pain and burning, the temperature rises, the general condition of the patient worsens. Together with urine, pus or blood may be released - signs of inflammation in the bladder. The urine itself is turbid, it has a characteristic unpleasant odor. The lower abdomen pulls and hurts. Acute cystitis is very dangerous, the infection can go to the kidneys. At a serious stage in the development of the disease, the threat poses to both the mother and the fetus. With such symptoms, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Chronic cystitis is sluggish, minor symptoms appear throughout the gestation period. As a rule, this is frequent urination and pain during the passage of urine through the urethra. If cystitis caught you during pregnancy, self-activity can be very dangerous. Be sure to see your doctor for the correct diagnosis. As a diagnosis, the first thing they do is give urine and blood for analysis. With the inflammatory process, the number of leukocytes and protein increases. An ultrasound examination of the kidneys and bladder may be necessary to get an overall picture. In addition, bacteriological urine culture should be done to identify the pathogen, so that the treatment is targeted. With bacterial infection, antibiotics will be needed, with fungal - antifungal agents, etc.

If you need to pass urine for analysis - you need to do this correctly. Urine should be the first, that is, morning. First you need to wash yourself so that particles of secretions and epithelium do not enter the urine. Then you need to start urinating, then collect some urine in a sterile dish, and finish the process in the toilet. That is, you need to collect an average portion of urine. It must be taken to the laboratory within two hours. Proper collection of urine will provide a reliable analysis result.

Medication for cystitis

This disease is treatable, but for a complete recovery it is necessary to perform a set of measures. First, follow the recommendations of your doctor and take medication in a timely manner. Secondly, to use traditional medicine - many of them are not only effective, but also safe, which is very important for a pregnant woman. Thirdly, it is necessary to exclude re-infection with cystitis, and for this it is necessary to observe all hygiene measures. So, we will consider each of the items in more detail, we will begin with drug treatment. What do doctors prescribe for cystitis?

1. Antibiotics. This is the main group of drugs that will help suppress inflammation and infection. When choosing antibacterial therapy, it is worth giving preference to those drugs that are safe for both the mother and the fetus. Optimal are Monural, Amoxiclav, etc. In early pregnancy, antibiotics are prescribed with extreme caution. Otherwise, they can be the cause of the development of pathologies in the fetus. Antibacterial therapy should last at least 5 days, otherwise the infection may not choke, and the inflammation will start again. Antibiotics very quickly give the desired result - after the second or third dose, pain decreases, the symptoms stop. Remember, antibiotics should be used at regular intervals throughout the day. They must be combined with probiotics to avoid dysbiosis.
2. Antifungal agents. If cystitis is caused by a fungus, then you need to use antifungal drugs - Nystatin, Futsis, etc.
3. Kanefron. This is an excellent herbal preparation that improves the functioning of the kidneys and the genitourinary system. It helps antibiotics suppress inflammation, relieves pain, and relaxes muscles for unimpeded excretion of urine. Absolutely safe for both mother and baby.
4. Antiviral. Sometimes inflammation can occur against a background of viral infection. In this case, antibiotics, unfortunately, suppress inflammation, but will not help get rid of the pathogen. It is necessary to use anti-inflammatory drugs.
5. Antiprotozoal agents. Antiprotozoal agents are effective if cystitis is caused by simple pathogens. Among the effective and safe means of this group, Metronidazole, Ornidazole can be distinguished.
6. Anti-inflammatory. To remove the symptoms of cystitis, you can use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs - Ibuprofen, Nurofen. Also, with severe pain, you can use antispasmodics - Papaverine, Noshpa, etc. Papaverine is very effective in rectal use in the form of suppositories.

In no case should you self-medicate. Diagnosis and treatment should be done by a doctor based on a professional examination and test results. After all, the priority is not only the fight against the disease, but also the safety of the baby in the womb.

Folk remedies in the fight against cystitis during pregnancy

Folk remedies perfectly cope with inflammation, suppress pain, stop symptoms. Before using any remedy, you must always consult with your doctor about the possibility of a particular treatment in your particular case. After all, some decoctions can be dangerous. For example, during pregnancy you can not drink a decoction of parsley root - it causes uterine spasm and can lead to miscarriage. Therefore, before treatment, be sure to talk with your doctor.

1. Lingonberry leaves, birch leaves and buds. Prepare a decoction of these components - mix the three ingredients in equal proportions and fill the collection with a liter of boiling water. The broth has a diuretic effect, suppresses inflammation. Drink half a glass of broth in the morning and evening.
2. Bearberry and rosehip. Prepare a decoction of these ingredients - a tablespoon of each ingredient per liter of boiling water. Insist the broth in a thermos for at least 12 hours. Drink 100 ml three times a day before meals. The broth has an anti-inflammatory effect, and also raises immunity.
3. Dill. Prepare a strong broth from dill and drink a tablespoon every 3 hours. This will relieve frequent urination and burning.
4. Oatmeal jelly. Oatmeal jelly also gives a good anti-inflammatory effect. Pour boiling water over the oatmeal and simmer for a while. The composition must be filtered and drink jelly during the day. If you do not like the taste, you can add lemon juice, honey, berries to it.

Some sources have various tips for treating cystitis by lowering the pelvis into hot decoctions of anti-inflammatory herbs. In no case should you be treated in this way during pregnancy - this can lead to a miscarriage.

How to avoid cystitis during pregnancy

Here are some hygiene tips to help you avoid getting cystitis again.

1. Follow personal hygiene - take a shower and change clothes daily, with active secretions several times a day. Use daily sanitary pads, change them every 2 hours. Do not use cosmetic products, especially aggressive or allergenic, for washing. It is better to use plain clean water.
2. Do not take a bath, only a shower. You can not swim in the ponds - they may contain infections that easily penetrate the body through the genitourinary system or vagina. And, moreover, do not urinate in dirty water bodies - this increases the risk of infection several times.
3. Underwear should be made of natural fabrics - cotton, linen. Lacy synthetic panties should be put aside for a while.
4. After bowel movement, use toilet paper in exactly one direction — from the vagina to the anus, and not vice versa. Otherwise, the entry of E. coli into the urethra is ensured.
5. Dress warmly, try not to get caught in the rain. During pregnancy, you need to treat health very carefully.
6. If you have frequent urination, do not restrain them. After all, urine is a natural flora for the development of bacteria. Even if you do not want to go to the toilet, you should urinate at least once every three hours so as not to create favorable living conditions for microorganisms.
7. Cystitis is enhanced by the use of smoked, spicy, spicy, fried, pickled dishes. Give up coffee and citruses for a while. Eat natural and healthy foods. Lingonberry and cranberry juices fight well with symptoms of cystitis.
8. Move more to disperse blood throughout the body and inhibit the inflammatory process.
9. Protect yourself with a condom during sexual contact. Yes, you are no longer afraid of pregnancy, but a condom will help you protect yourself from bacteria, infection, and fungi. Even healthy, but alien microflora can cause the development of cystitis.

These simple recommendations will help you avoid cystitis during pregnancy.

To protect yourself from cystitis, it is very important to undergo an examination and be treated if necessary before pregnancy begins. If you already carry a baby under the heart, regularly visit your gynecologist, do an examination, take your urine for analysis. It is necessary to improve the quality of life in order to strengthen immunity - give up bad habits, walk more, eat right, temper. And then the body's defenses can resist external pathogens, and pregnancy will bring only joy!

Video: treatment of cystitis in women in 1 day