Hydronephrosis in Pregnancy Treatment

Hydropnephrosis, or swelling of the kidneys, can affect pregnant women and their fetuses. According to the Merck Manual, the condition can occur in pregnant woman when an enlarged uterus prevents normal urine flow. Changes to the muscles during pregnancy may also make it harder for the kidneys to pass urine. Bladder problems or a blockage or kink in the tube that connects the bladder to the kidney can cause the condition in a fetus.

  1. Diagnosis

    • Some women may experience sharp pain as a result of hydronephrosis, but the condition can also develop gradually, without symptoms. A routine physical exam can detect swelling in the kidneys even if there are no obvious symptoms. Your doctor can then use bladder catheterization or an ultrasound exam to determine whether hydronephrosis has set in. A routine ultrasound can also identify the condition in a fetus.

    Watchful Waiting

    • When a mother or fetus has hydronephrosis, doctors will generally wait to see how the condition progresses. Mothers will be asked to have more frequent exams to let physicians monitor whether the hydronephrosis is causing kidney damage or other harm.

    Treatment for a Pregnant Woman

    • In many cases, pregnant women will need no treatment, as the condition resolves itself after pregnancy. Pain may be relieved by avoiding putting pressure on the affected area. In some cases, physicians may use a stent to drain the kidney area and relieve pressure.

    Treatment for a Fetus

    • Throughout pregnancy, doctors will monitor the fetus' kidneys for signs of damage. If at all possible, any treatment is postponed until after birth. In the most severe cases, a drain may be surgically implanted to reduce pressure on the fetal kidney and bladder.

    Treatment for a Newborn

    • Mothers may have to deliver early to reduce the risk for kidney damage in a newborn with hydronephrosis. After birth, about 50 percent of newborns diagnosed with the condition show no signs of it. For others, treatment usually involves surgery to correct the problem that caused the condition. Most children recover with no long-term kidney or bladder problems.

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