A pregnant woman undergoes different transformations during the entire period they are carrying the pregnancy. This is mainly caused by hormonal changes that make the body suitable for handling pregnancy during the entire 9 months.
As the body tries to adapt to these new changes, the risk of getting a urinary tract infection becomes very high. These urinary tract infections if not properly handled will lead to the development of kidney infections or Pyelonephritis.
Pyelonephritis is a bacterial infection that mainly affects one or both of the kidneys. A person may either be suffering from Acute Pyelonephritis or Chronic Pyelonephritis. Acute Pyelonephritis is an immediate development of a severe kidney infection especially in women who are pregnant. This is usually caused by the sudden change of hormones in your body as they may end up increasing or decreasing.
Diagnosis and Tests
The diagnosis of a kidney infection in pregnant women is usually done by a doctor after the patient has provided all the medical history. Some diagnosis options that your doctor may recommend include:
Blood Tests
A doctor may require you to undergo a blood test in order to determine the extent of a kidney infection in your body. After taking your blood sample, the doctor will prescribe a medication that can easily take care of the infection before it reaches adverse levels that require a kidney transplant.
Urine Tests
Kidney infections can’t be easily seen through the naked eye especially during the early stages as they never showcase any symptom. Your doctor may require you to perform a urine test that shows the level of this infection in your body. It is from this urine tests that your doctor will come up with a medication which will counter the kidney infection.
Imaging Tests
When a blood test or urine test fails to clearly portray any kidney infection during pregnancy, your doctor may recommend using an imaging test. An imaging test helps determine if there is a blockage in your urinary tract system that might be affecting the normal flow of urine. In conclusion, a kidney infection should be treated during the early stages before it can eventually lead to a kidney failure that may require a kidney dialysis or a kidney transplant. Pregnant women should undergo regular checkup if they wish to maintain their health and that of the unborn baby.