Glossary | Urinary tract infection (UTI)

Urinary tract infection (UTI)

Bladder or urinary tract infections (UTI) are very common in pregnancy. Many women get them for the first time while pregnant. A UTI comes from vaginal bacteria moving up into your bladder through your urethra. Your urine contains more sugar and protein during pregnancy which bacteria live on. This allows them to grow faster in the urine wich increasing the chances of you getting a UTI. A UTI during pregnancy often does not cause many of the usual symptoms such as burning with urination or bladder discomfort. Bladder infections can often lead to kidney infections and cause preterm labor. They are therefore, almost always treated even if they cause no symptoms. Your urine is routinely checked during your prenatal visits and asymptomatic UTI's are in such a way often discovered. Drinking a lot of fluids and cranberry juice may help prevent them.