Get Rid Of Bladder Infections During And After Pregnancy

Bladder infections during pregnancy can cause a lot of problems. Women need to take special care during and after pregnancy and any kind of infection can cause a lot of problems. Extra care and preventing the occurrence of any infection is necessary during this time. Women are more susceptible to this infection than men. Doctors attribute this to the closely placed vagina and anus in women and the short length of urethra. Also known as cystitis, this affects more than 50% of women during pregnancy. The bacteria enter the urinary tract through the urethra and stick to the walls of the bladder. The condition becomes serious if they travel to the kidneys and cause kidney infection.

It is quite easy to prevent the infection and you can get rid of it in the initial stages with some precautions.

1. Know the symptoms of bladder infections - During pregnancy watch for the sure signs of urinary infection or UTI. With the first clue, rush to get the necessary treatment. Some of the general symptoms are pain during urination, need for frequent and urgent urination, cramps or pain in the lower abdomen, cloudy urine, pain during sex, waking up often to urinate, foul smell of urine, tenderness in the urinary bladder area, and fever. Make sure that you have observed the symptoms closely, as some of these can mimic the symptoms of normal pregnancy.

2. Visit the doctor immediately- Urinary infections can cause other complications during pregnancy like pre-term labor. So get doctor's help immediately. If un-treated, the infection can spread to kidneys, and result in a very serious condition. Take the prescribed medicines regularly and as directed. Ask your doctor of pain controlling medication, if your pain is unbearable.

3. Stay hydrated - Drinking lots of water during pregnancy is necessary and more so if there is an infection. Cranberry juice is also good for flushing out the bacteria. Do not be dehydrated or there are chances that the infection could become worse.

4. Wipe the right way - It is important to wipe front to back and not the other way. This way you prevent the bacteria from the anus from entering the vagina. Hygiene is one of the best ways of staying infection free during and after pregnancy.

5. Wear breathable clothes - Do not wear tight clothes during bladder infections. Wear cotton or breathable panties and allow your skin to get air. Tight clothes can trap moisture and aggravate the infections.

After pregnancy care is absolutely necessary for women. The body is more susceptible to infection after delivery. All the above mentioned precautions should be followed by women after their pregnancy too. Women, who have had the infection once, are more chances of suffering from a relapse. Take your doctor's advice and get rid of all the traces of infection.