The kidneys during pregnancy, like all organs at this time, work in an enhanced mode. The body of the future mother can fail, which happens quite often with the kidneys. In this article we will talk about the work and diseases of this organ during pregnancy, find out why the kidneys can begin to hurt or grow larger.
Why are kidneys susceptible to disease during pregnancy?
Most of all, expectant mothers are loaded with kidneys. During the expectation of the baby, the organs should remove not only her urine from the woman’s body, but also the baby’s vital products that enter the blood through the placenta. But the hormone progesterone, by the presence of which pregnancy is detected, reduces the tone of the bladder, and the urine can stagnate, which leads to an easier infection that causes diseases, such as pyelonephritis.
It happens that the disease was even before pregnancy, but the woman did not suspect about it, and pregnancy can cause this disease to awaken.
In the early stages of pregnancy, the kidneys are usually not disturbed only if there were no diseases associated with these organs before pregnancy. Next, let's talk about the diseases that most often arise during the period of expectation of the baby.
Symptoms of kidney disease
What just does not hurt during pregnancy! Of course, at the first unpleasant sensations, not every woman will immediately run to the doctor. Especially often, expectant mothers have back pain, and often such are the norm, because the spine also experiences incredible stress. But how to recognize kidney disease during pregnancy? It will not be possible to diagnose the disease on its own, but there are a number of symptoms that indicate kidney health problems.
- pain in the lumbar region - higher by a finger or two;
- pain from the lower back passes to the side, is given in the lower abdomen;
- protein in the urine - determined by analysis;
- after emptying, it seems that urine is not empty;
- blood pressure rises;
- swelling appears on the legs, arms, on the face;
- when urinating, there are discomfort, even pain;
- pain in the lumbar region is not passing, aching, does not become easier even when changing posture;
- may cause nausea, fever, chills.
Ultrasound of the kidneys during pregnancy may show expansion above normal. What does this mean?
Causes of Kidney Enlargement
The right kidney is enlarged during pregnancy or the left, there are a variety of reasons for this:
- Pyelonephritis. This is the most common disease among pregnant women. We will talk about this disease in more detail below.
- Glomerulonephritis. This disease belongs to the immuno-inflammatory and more often occurs as a complication after the flu or sore throat. Symptoms may include swelling on the face and legs, frequent urination, and dull pain in the lower back.
- Kidney stones also form quite often during pregnancy , and it is they that cause the organ to expand. A stone can become an obstacle to the outflow of urine, getting stuck in the ureter or when leaving the renal pelvis, this is an increase in the organ. If there are stones in the kidneys, then the first sign of this will be unbearable pain, especially when urinating. In the urine, small grains will be visible - finer than sand, reminiscent of powder.
The kidneys during pregnancy can be enlarged due to many diseases that require a more detailed review. We suggest moving on to familiarizing yourself with the most common ailments that occur during pregnancy.
Hydronephrosis
With stagnation of urine, which lead to violations in its outflow, hydronephrosis often appears. This is a serious disease that causes an increase in the cups and pelvis in the kidneys, thinning of the walls, atrophy. The disease is progressive, with it there is a deterioration in the basic functions of the kidneys.
The most common cause of this disease is pregnancy itself. The uterus increases, begins to put pressure on the ureters, preventing the outflow of urine. Fluid accumulates in the pelvis and cups, deforming and stretching them.
For hydronephrosis, there may be other, more rare causes:
- cystitis;
- injuries
- infections
- damage to the spinal cord;
- tumors and metastases.
With the development of hydronephrosis, three stages are distinguished:
- Stagnant urine, small extensions in the pelvis and calyx.
- A stronger expansion of the pelvis and calyx, the kidneys increase by an average of 20%.
- The kidneys are doubled, a strong expansion of the pelvis and calyx.
At every stage of the development of the disease, there is frequent urge to go to the toilet, but very little urine is released.
Cystitis
Cystitis can be the first manifestation of many urological diseases during pregnancy, including pyelonephritis. With the appearance of cystitis, the general condition of the woman worsens. It becomes sluggish, disability decreases, weakness appears, the temperature can rise to 37.5 degrees. With the further development of the disease, frequent urination is observed - every 30-40 minutes. At the end of urination, a woman may experience cutting pains.
To confirm the diagnosis, it is necessary to take tests not only urine, but also blood. Acute cystitis lasts from a week to ten days. If the disease is delayed, you will need to undergo an examination to identify possible inflammatory processes.
Cystitis should be recognized on time and treatment should begin as soon as possible. This will help minimize the likelihood of developing a more serious disease - pyelonephritis, which has many harmful consequences not only for a pregnant woman, but also for her fetus.
Pyelonephritis
We will talk about this kidney disease during pregnancy in more detail, because it is the most common - it occurs in 7% of pregnant women!
Pyelonephritis rarely occurs in the early stages, often develops from the second trimester. Expectant mothers diagnosed with pyelonephritis are at particular risk. The disease can cause:
- the appearance of gestosis - a dangerous pathology for the mother and baby;
- intrauterine infection, in which the fetus stops in growth and development;
- preterm birth.
But the most dangerous thing for a woman is the development of acute renal failure against pyelonephritis. A woman’s kidneys may partially or completely refuse to work.
The cause of pyelonephritis is more often the pregnancy itself. The uterus begins to compress organs, interfering with the excretion of urine. Also during pregnancy, the hormonal background changes dramatically, and this becomes the cause of the development of many diseases. In addition, pyelonephritis can develop for other reasons:
- diabetes;
- urolithic diseases;
- cystitis before pregnancy;
- malformations of the urinary tract and kidneys.
Risk Levels for Pregnant Pyelonephritis
- The first degree is pyelonephritis, which occurred during pregnancy, proceeding without complications.
- The second degree is progressive chronic pyelonephritis, which a woman had before pregnancy.
- The third degree is the most dangerous, blood pressure rises, arterial hypertension is observed. In this case, only one kidney can be susceptible to the disease, for example, it is diagnosed: the right kidney is enlarged.
During pregnancy, pyelonephritis should be observed not only by a physician and nephrologist, but also by an obstetrician-gynecologist.
The timing of pyelonephritis during pregnancy
There are certain periods when there is a high probability of developing pyelonephritis. This is due to hormonal changes in the body, with the work of the kidneys and the load on them.
All pregnant women without fail several times over the entire period pass urine tests. This also allows you to track the possible development of pyelonephritis, because in the beginning it can have a latent character.
Most often, this disease occurs during the period from the 22nd to the 28th week of pregnancy. But there is a likelihood of development at 12-15, 32-34, 39-40th week, as well as at 2-6th day after childbirth.
Kidney Treatment During Pregnancy
Treatment should be aimed at combating the infection that caused the disease, so you need to pass a full range of tests. Further, only a doctor will be able to prescribe medication and beneficial herbs.
Patients with any renal disease are prescribed a plentiful drink; cranberry juice, which contains sodium benzoate, will be especially useful. This substance turns into hippuric acid, and it has a bactericidal effect.
Prescribe diuretics and antispasmodics that help resume normal urine outflow. Antibacterial drugs - according to the causative agent of the disease.
With timely treatment of kidneys in pregnant women, organ functions are fully restored after childbirth. If you start the disease, then it can develop into a chronic one and make itself felt at every stage of life.
The main thing is not to self-medicate at the first sign of illness. Treatment is prescribed only by a doctor, recognizing the virus by analysis!
Prevention of kidney disease in expectant mothers
Pregnant women can protect themselves from the appearance of kidney disease by taking preventive measures. Following simple rules, you can survive the period of expectation of the baby without consequences for your body.
- Every day, drink at least a glass of cranberry or lingonberry fruit drink. These berries are good not only for the treatment of kidney disease, but also for prevention.
- From the first days when you find out about pregnancy, you must adhere to a diet that will help maintain healthy kidneys. Refuse all salty, smoked, fried, fat. Eliminate white bread and all legumes from the diet.
- Drinking water per day requires at least 2 liters.
- As often as possible go to the toilet, in no case do not tolerate.
- Clothing should be free, take away all tights and swimming trunks that constrain, cause discomfort.
- Buy underwear only from natural cotton, this is found in departments for pregnant women.
- Do not take a bath, use a shower.
- Do not forget about gymnastics for pregnant women.
If there is no opportunity, time or just the desire to attend gymnastics in a group, then be sure to do one exercise at home - a stand on all fours. Take this pose 3-4 times a day, soak for 15 minutes. The uterus in this position will not press on the urine and kidneys, the organs will rest a bit from heaviness. This exercise also helps with back pain.