5 Homecare For Urinary Tract Infection During Pregnancy

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is quite common during pregnancy due to hormonal changes and reduced immunity during pregnancy. Severe UTI during pregnancy can lead to preterm delivery, low birth weight, intrauterine growth retardation, and other related complications. Women with urinary tract infections experience symptoms like bad odour urine, frequent need to urinate, burning sensation when passing urine, pelvic pain, cramps in the lower abdomen, dark urine (presence of blood), cloudy urine, etc.

Besides the doctor’s treatment plan, there are also some home care tips to follow for urinary tract infections.

Fluid intake

Drinking plenty of water and other fluids is one of the best ways to flush out the bacteria from the urinary tract. Frequent passing of urine will help reduce the bacterial load in the urinary tract by flushing it out.

Unsweetened cranberry juice

Cranberry juice is one of the most established treatments for urinary tract infections. Cranberry is rich in antioxidants. It has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial property that helps treat urinary tract infection.

Probiotics

Lactobacilli a group of probiotics is known to be effective on UTIs. They prevent the attachment of harmful bacteria to the urinary tract cells, produce hydrogen peroxide which is an anti-bacterial in the urine, and lower the urine pH making it difficult for the bacteria to grow.

Maintain intimate and sexual hygiene

Poor sexual hygiene tends to contribute to UTIs to a great extent. Follow sexual hygiene routines like urinating before and after having sex, using contraception barriers, washing genitals before and after having sex with warm water, avoiding the use of chemical-based products and lubricants, and washing your intimate area frequently front to back.

Boost your immunity

Include immunity-boosting foods in your diet. Have foods that are rich in vitamin C, antioxidants, vitamin E, folic acid, zinc, and other essential immunity-boosting nutrients.