Condition
Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) in Pregnancy: Signs and Treatment
Urinary tract infections are common in pregnancy, and they are treated even when you feel fine because an untreated UTI can move to the kidneys or trigger preterm labor. The good news is they are easy to test for and treat. This page is educational, not medical advice.
Call your clinician now if you have
- Burning or pain when you pee, or needing to go urgently and often
- Fever, chills, back or side pain, or nausea and vomiting (possible kidney infection)
- Contractions or cramping along with urinary symptoms
Fever with back or side pain can mean the infection reached your kidneys, which is urgent in pregnancy. Call your clinician or go in right away.
Why UTIs matter more in pregnancy
Pregnancy changes the urinary tract so bacteria grow more easily, and an untreated UTI can climb to the kidneys (pyelonephritis) or raise the risk of preterm labor. That is why your urine is checked at prenatal visits even without symptoms.
Testing and treatment
A simple urine test confirms a UTI. Treatment is a short course of a pregnancy-safe antibiotic; finish the whole course even if you feel better quickly. Drinking water helps. Your clinician chooses an antibiotic that is safe for your stage of pregnancy.
How Materna helps
Materna lets you flag urinary symptoms fast, reach a bilingual nurse the same day, and track that you finished your antibiotics. Spanish-first and Medicaid-friendly.
Frequently asked questions
- Can a UTI hurt my baby?
- A treated UTI usually causes no harm. An untreated one can reach the kidneys or raise the risk of preterm birth, which is why it is treated promptly, even without symptoms.
- Are UTI antibiotics safe in pregnancy?
- Yes. Your clinician picks an antibiotic known to be safe for your stage of pregnancy. Take the full course as directed.
- How can I prevent UTIs?
- Drink plenty of water, pee when you need to and after sex, and wipe front to back. Tell your team about any burning or urgency so it can be checked.
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