Treatment for UTI During Pregnancy

Preventing UTIs During Pregnancy

• Drinking cranberry juice can help to prevent UTIs. Choose 100 percent cranberry juice, not a mixed juice. Make sure the label says "100 percent juice" because otherwise, it is likely mixed with sugary fillers. If you or your family has a history of kidney stones, consult with your doctor prior to drinking cranberry juice regularly.

  Cranberry juice is very strong, and if you dislike it too much to drink it during pregnancy, take a cranberry pill instead. Cranberry pills can be purchased at any pharmacy. The pill is a capsule filled with ground cranberry powder. Take the pill with plenty of water. Continue taking one pill a day after you are feeling better to prevent a recurrence.

  Cranberries help prevent a UTI during pregnancy and they can help if you know you are feeling early signs of infection. Cranberries, however, will not cure a full blown UTI.

Antibiotics

• Unfortunately, the only way to get rid of a full blown infection is to take antibiotics. A non-pregnant person will generally take a seven- to 10-day course of antibiotics but doctors normally only prescribe a three- to seven-day course to pregnant women to protect the baby.

  Doctors will normally prescribe the safest antibiotics first, but if the UTI does not clear up, they may have to try stronger medications. While it can be scary to take medicine for a UTI during pregnancy, not taking the medication can pose a greater risk. Urinary tract infections can lead to low birth weight babies and preterm labor. Babies that are too small at birth are at risk for many health issues. A woman taking antibiotics during pregnancy should tell the doctor immediately if she notices any reaction to the medication.

Speeding Up the Healing

• There are actions that a woman can take to encourage faster healing from the UTI. Drinking cranberry juice while taking antibiotics will not hurt anything and the cranberry juice will help keep the infection from returning.

  Wear only cotton underwear while suffering from a UTI during pregnancy. Other fabrics do not allow air to circulate and create a breeding ground for bacteria, which can slow down the healing process.

  While treating a UTI, skip baths. Soaking in a bath may be relaxing, but soaking in warm water may only encourage more bacteria growth. Instead, skip the tub and take showers until the UTI goes away.

  Drink plenty of water. You should be drinking at least 64 oz. of water a day anyhow, but while fighting off a UTI you may need even more. Skip sugary drinks completely because they encourage bacteria growth. The only things you should drink while treating a UTI are water and cranberry juice.