Cystitis in pregnancy: causes, prevention and treatment

Cystitis is a fairly common disorder in women due to anatomical reasons.

In addition, other predisposing factors are added ; in fact, cystitis is favored by the hormonal changes typical of pregnancy, especially by the increase in progesterone which causes a relaxation of smooth muscles and a reduction in the tone of the ureter and urethra.

Moreover, in the last months of pregnancy, the uterus, ever more voluminous, compresses the ureter, obstructing the complete emptying of the bladder. Cystitis is even more common in gestational diabetes .

In a woman in good health, not pregnant, sporadic episodes of cystitis usually should not cause concern and can be solved with the simple precautions described in the next paragraph, especially by drinking plenty of natural water and constantly emptying the bladder, or with the help of homeopathy or with a light antibiotic therapy in a single administration.

In pregnancy, however, much more attention must be paid because the risk of infection is more complicated, extending towards the kidneys and because an untreated cystitis can cause the baby's premature birth and weight reduction and / or general development of the fetus.

Mallow in pregnancy, an aid against cystitis and not only

Prevention of cystitis in pregnancy

To prevent cystitis in pregnancy:

Take great care of intimate hygiene . In fact, neglecting one's personal hygiene further increases the risk of bacterial proliferation, with consequent cystitis. Be careful to take care of sexual hygiene too. Finally, it is advisable not to use too aggressive detergents, preferring specific products for intimate hygiene, recommended by the gynecologist or pharmacist and not, for example, common shower gel.
Wear cotton underwear, which promotes transpiration and not synthetic that, on the contrary, increases sweating.
Do not retain urine and drink at least one and a half liters of water a day to promote diuresis.
Take great care of nutrition to limit the risk of constipation, another very common disorder in pregnancy that further predisposes to the onset of cystitis.
If the course of the pregnancy allows it, practice a light but constant physical activity .
Do not wear clothes that are too tight .
In the summer, or if you go to swimming pools, avoid staying too long with the swimsuit on .

The cure in case of cystitis in pregnancy

If the urine test and urine culture confirm the diagnosis of cystitis, the doctor will prescribe antibiotic therapy ; generally the therapy is short and it will be up to the doctor to choose a medicine that does not involve significant risks for the mother and the child and that is really effective against the responsible bacterium. The treatment of cystitis in pregnancy must always be managed by a doctor . DIY is very dangerous.

As an aid to antibiotic therapy and to limit the risk of relapse it is advisable to follow the precautions indicated in the previous paragraph and valid for both preventive and curative purposes.