Diagnosis and Treatment of Kidney Stones in Pregnant Women

Women undergo physical changes and symptoms during pregnancy, which they believe is normal for a pregnant woman. However, some common symptoms including pain in the upper abdomen or back and sides, nausea/vomiting, urinary urgency and frequency. Blood in the urine may be symptoms of kidney stones and you may want to visit your doctor to find out.

Causes of Kidney Stones

Kidney stones occur after the first trimester of pregnancy. The stones are formed after a woman undergoes physical changes in her body. The growing uterus squeezes the bladder, which causes most women to make a lot of stops to the bathroom.

Treatment of Kidney Stones

After you have learnt the symptoms and causes of kidney stones during pregnancy, it is important for a pregnant woman to go for check up and get early diagnosis and treatment. If not diagnosed early, it may lead to premature birth and risk to the unborn child.

• Bed rest

The patient is advised to take bed rest for the safety of her and the unborn baby.

• Taking lots of fluids and pain medication

If a pregnant woman has kidney stones, she is advised to take lots of water, even though she will make lots of trips to the bathroom. If a pregnant woman doesn’t take lots of fluids she is at a risk of getting kidney stones.

• Stenting 

A stent or PCN tube is placed in the ureter. The tube passes the urine lessening the burden on the contraction of the urinary tract. The tube is not removed till end of pregnancy.

• Ureteroscopic Stone Removal (URS)

This method is recommended for pregnant women where the stones are removed

How to Prevent Urinal Stones during Pregnancy

The good news is that pregnant women can prevent themselves from getting kidney stones or from re-occurrence.

Drink lots of fluids, especially water, and do not hold in the urine, even if you do not like the frequent trips to the toilet, avoid oxalate foods such as chocolates, nut and berries and exercise as per doctor’s advice. Remember to visit the doctor if you feel any pain in your lower abdomen.