Recently, more and more kidney stones are detected during pregnancy. The appearance of this disease in a woman in position contributes a lot to hormonal changes in the body. ICD can manifest itself in different ways, so you need to clearly understand if a kidney stone is found during pregnancy, how dangerous this condition is and what it can threaten.
A woman who carries a child must definitely listen carefully to her condition, and at the slightest sign of trouble, go to the doctor for examination and treatment. The sooner it is started, the better the outcome. So, you should beware if:
The formation of stones during the carrying of the fetus does not occur for no reason, it happens as a result of the following conditions:
Most often, if the disease occurs during pregnancy, then this occurs as a result of calcium deposition in the later stages, since in this position it is much more slowly excreted from the body.
In other cases, the causes of the development of KSD during gestation are the same as for other people:
If a woman has a kidney stone during pregnancy, treatment should begin immediately, otherwise the following complications will occur:
Stones during pregnancy are treated conservatively. A radical solution in the form of surgical intervention to remove stones is used only in the most extreme case - with the development of renal failure or the addition of a purulent process with the risk of infection. As a rule, if a kidney stone is 4 mm during pregnancy, and there are no signs of complications, then assistance is provided by medical methods and the appointment of the correct diet.
You can stop an attack of renal colic using antispasmodics or analgesics. In the absence of effectiveness from such treatment, a woman is given a novocaine blockade, and urine is released by catheterization.
Diet plays a very important role in stopping the growth of stones and preventing the appearance of new stones. It is appointed only by a specialist, depending on the type of formations:
Many expectant mothers, when stones are found, wonder what if there are kidney stones during pregnancy, how to give birth. The answer to this question can be given in each individual case only by a specialist. In most cases, childbirth is normal, and in the presence of large stones, the main treatment is prescribed after the birth of the baby. But it is best to plan pregnancy in advance, and treat all diseases so that they do not worsen and create problems later.
Today, kidney stones during pregnancy are diagnosed quite often. The internal changes that occur to the female body during childbearing often provoke an exacerbation of latent forms of kidney stones. Attentive attitude of expectant mothers to their well-being, regular examinations by specialists and laboratory monitoring of health status make it possible to identify the disease at an early stage.
Why are kidney stones dangerous for a pregnant woman and her baby? What methods of treatment and prevention can be applied at this stage of a woman's life?
The hormonal "storms" that occur in the female body during pregnancy provoke a number of serious changes. The volume of blood increases significantly, the uterus grows, puts pressure on the organs of the urinary system, the load on the kidneys increases, and urination becomes more frequent. As a result of exposure to progesterone and estrogen, the ureters become curved and lengthened, which delays the outflow of urine. These factors can provoke the movement of stones and acute renal colic, even if the woman previously suffered from nephrolithiasis in a sluggish (latent) form.
Kidney stones during pregnancy are dangerous, as they can cause complications that adversely affect the health of the mother and the development of the fetus.
The main complications of kidney stones in pregnant women:
Symptoms of kidney stones in pregnant women:
In case of an acute attack, you should immediately call an ambulance, since the pathological process can lead to intoxication of the body of the mother and child, rupture of the fetal bladder, miscarriage and premature birth. In a mild form, all signs of urolithiasis are a signal for a mandatory visit by a pregnant woman to a doctor and the start of treatment. If a gynecologist or therapist, after conducting the necessary studies and making a diagnosis, offers the patient hospitalization, you should not refuse.
Even with a severe form of nephrolithiasis, a normal pregnancy and delivery is possible. The sooner the disease is detected, the better. The state of health of the future woman in labor will be monitored not only by a gynecologist, but also by a nephrologist who will offer therapy options that are acceptable during pregnancy.
Treatment for kidney stones in pregnant women may include:
During pregnancy, the crushing of kidney stones by ultrasound or laser is contraindicated.
Surgery is advisable in difficult situations, when the life of the mother and child is at risk.
For example, if the outflow of urine stops, blood poisoning begins, severe intoxication is observed, attacks of renal colic are constantly repeated and intensified. If the gestational age allows, simultaneously with the surgical removal of the stone of the expectant mother, a caesarean section can be performed.
Self-treatment of kidney stones is unacceptable, especially during pregnancy. Popular folk methods for stone passage (like a warm bath and a heating pad on the lower back) can lead to the loss of a child. But the preventive measures recommended by experts are safe and can significantly improve the condition of a pregnant woman.
Prevention of kidney stones during pregnancy includes the following actions:
The best thing a woman can do for her body and the health of her unborn child is to undergo a comprehensive examination before pregnancy. Kidney stone disease, identified at the planning stage, is much easier to cure.
Kidney stone disease is a disease that affects an average of 3% of the world's population. At the same time, men suffer from pathology more often than women. However, it is in the weak half of humanity that the signs of kidney stones manifest themselves more severely. It should be noted that it is women who are prone to urolithase (the formation of rare coral-like stones). About what are the symptoms of kidney stones in women, and what are the reasons for their formation, in the material below.
Kidney stone disease is a disease that affects an average of 3% of the world's population.
Most often, urolithiasis in women develops for the following reasons:
Important: special attention should be paid to water rich in lime inclusions. It is this fluid that can cause the formation of stones in the kidneys and urinary tract.
If the stone has a larger size and an irregular geometric shape (the presence of spikes, corals, sharp corners), then when it moves, a sharp renal colic occurs
Kidney stones form when there is too much salt in the body. In this case, the salts first precipitate, and then collect various inclusions such as mucus, epithelium, protein, etc. The stones can vary in diameter from several millimeters to several tens of centimeters. Most often, there are no symptoms of kidney stones. However, stones can manifest themselves as follows:
Important: renal colic can be so severe that it can provoke shock. It is impossible to drink analgesics with renal colic. You need to save yourself with spasmolytics until the ambulance arrives.
If a woman who is in a state of pregnancy bears a fetus, it is necessary to be especially attentive to the state of her health.
If a woman who is in a state of pregnancy bears a fetus, it is necessary to be especially attentive to her state of health. So, the chronic course of urolithiasis does not affect the bearing of the baby. However, if the pathology enters an acute phase, it is possible to terminate the pregnancy. This is due to the fact that when the calculus moves along the urinary tract, the entire body spasms. Thus, the organs try to push the foreign body out. Unfortunately, the smooth muscle spasm will also spread to the uterus, which is a large muscular organ. In this case, with a strong spasm, the embryo can simply be rejected.
Important: therefore, in order to avoid the occurrence of an acute form of pathology, it is better to consult your urologist for an optimal diet. It is worth remembering that it is more difficult to treat a pregnant woman due to the fact that most drugs are contraindicated for a future mother. Surgical intervention for acute renal colic is carried out only in the case of vital indications, when the life of the mother is placed above the life of the unborn baby.
Diagnosis of kidney stones in women is carried out using ultrasound of the pelvic organs, kidneys and urinary tract
Kidney stones and their symptoms in women require an accurate diagnosis in order to accurately determine the type of formation by its chemical composition. Accurate identification of the type of calculus makes it possible to choose the right therapy aimed at dissolving the stone and removing it from the body. So, the following methods are used for diagnosis:
In urology, these types of stones in women are distinguished:
Important: a special risk group for urolithiasis is occupied by residents of hot southern regions and patients diagnosed with gout. Also, lovers of spicy and fatty foods may experience urolithiasis.
Treatment of kidney stones in women, in principle, does not differ from "male" therapy
In order to soften the stones, the doctor may prescribe a special diet that will reduce the content of certain types of salts that led to the formation of the calculus.
In order to soften the stones, the doctor may prescribe a special diet that will reduce the content of certain types of salts that led to the formation of the calculus. And in order to prevent pathology, a woman must adhere to the following rules:
It is worth knowing that if the slightest symptoms of urolithiasis appear, you should immediately consult a doctor. It is extremely dangerous to engage in self-treatment and take analgesics. This can erase symptoms and prevent a correct diagnosis. Remember, your health and longevity is in your hands.
Even a normal pregnancy is a real stress for the female body. On this basis, all chronic diseases at once remind the expectant mother of themselves. Kidney stones during pregnancy are a clear confirmation of this. Pathology poses a serious danger to the woman and the baby she is carrying. But a prudent examination of the organs of the urinary system even at the stage of planning offspring helps to avoid problems in the future. We will talk about the symptoms and treatment of the disease in the article.
Factors that provoke the formation of stones in the organs of the urinary system are divided into internal and external. The main catalyst for the development of urolithiasis is considered to be a disturbed water-salt metabolism in the body. However, there are other reasons for the formation of kidney stones in the mother during fetal development:
The risk of kidney stones is especially high in the last trimester of pregnancy, when a large belly prevents the expectant mother from leading an active lifestyle. Also during this period, disorders in metabolic processes often occur due to unstable hormonal levels. How dangerous is the presence of kidney stones during pregnancy? A real threat to the well-being of the mother and baby is the rapid exacerbation of the pathology, while the sluggish form of the disease does not harm their health.
During pregnancy, a woman's hormonal activity increases markedly, and this leads to an inevitable exacerbation of urolithiasis. That is why expecting a baby and bouts of renal colic are often parallel processes. The body of the expectant mother synthesizes the hormone progesterone in large quantities, since a high level of this substance is the key to a successful pregnancy. Numerous progesterone receptors are present in the tissues of the organs of the urinary system, therefore, when it becomes larger, the urinary ducts expand and lose their tone, facilitating the movement of stones. At this very time, the uterus constantly increases in size, compresses the ureters and interferes with the free excretion of urinary fluid.
Symptoms of the disease appear in expectant mothers in the period from 12 to 16 weeks of an “interesting” position, sometimes a few weeks before the baby is born. A pregnant woman is tormented by a sharp paroxysmal pain. The exacerbation occurs on the basis of a strong load experienced by the urinary tract of a pregnant woman. In some cases, urolithiasis in a future mother is diagnosed against the background of the development of pyelonephritis.
The clinical picture of urolithiasis is very extensive:
The main and most eloquent sign of urolithiasis is an attack of renal colic, which literally covers a person with sudden and very sharp pain. This is how the body reacts to the movement of stones when they block the urinary ducts and prevent the normal excretion of urine. During an attack, there are short-term periods of relief, which are replaced by relapses. The attack passes when the stone changes position in the body or leaves the duct.
Chronic urolithiasis occurs without obvious signs and does not pose a serious danger to a woman in position. However, the appearance of attacks of renal colic or the development of an extensive inflammatory process may result in premature birth or spontaneous abortion.
During an attack, the smooth muscle cells of the urinary tract contract. On this basis, the uterus is in a state of hypertonicity. Strong stress leads to placental abruption, miscarriage or premature labor. The presence of calculi in the kidneys and bladder is a real hindrance to natural delivery, so doctors often decide about operative delivery through caesarean section.
Kidney stones are also dangerous because they are a provoking factor for the development of another inflammatory disease - pyelonephritis. In this case, the infection threatens not only the woman, but also calls into question the health of the fetus. Treatment of pregnant patients takes place under the strict supervision of physicians.
To alleviate the condition of a future mother suffering from urolithiasis, all means are good, so the course of treatment is usually complex.
Such therapy is complicated by the fact that many effective drugs are contraindicated for pregnant women. Treatment of urolithiasis in expectant mothers is aimed at suppressing pain symptoms, splitting and removing stones from the body, as well as removing the inflammatory process.
To alleviate the condition of a pregnant patient, the doctor prescribes her antispasmodics and anti-inflammatory drugs, the action of which does not threaten her position. Along with treatment that improves the general well-being of the expectant mother, the doctor will certainly pay attention to her drinking regimen. It is corrected properly: the daily volume of drinking water consumed is determined individually for each patient.
Such a measure is necessary to stimulate the production of urine and change the acidic environment to an alkaline one. In a severe form of urolithiasis, when drugs with a sparing effect do not help relieve pain, they resort to painkillers of narcotic origin. If the painful sensations are not eliminated, a novocaine blockade of the round ligament of the uterus is made and at the same time urine is drained through a catheter.
Homeopaths know how to remove kidney stones during pregnancy. Homeopathic medicines are of particular relevance when it comes to the treatment of a pregnant patient. Such medicines are distinguished by a composition that is natural and safe for the woman and the fetus and successfully cope with the correction of disturbed metabolic processes. To enhance the effect, in parallel with taking homeopathic medicines, the expectant mother is prescribed herbal treatment. Considering that many herbs cannot be taken during pregnancy, only a doctor can develop a treatment program.
To keep the disease in check, dietary nutrition should not be underestimated. This issue is of particular importance when it comes to the treatment of the expectant mother. Before prescribing this or that diet, the attending physician will examine the pregnant patient to find out the composition of the stones that have formed in her kidneys.
Basically, the nutritional requirements of a woman in position are as follows:
With any form of urolithiasis and any composition of stones, spicy, salty and fried foods are contraindicated. In this case, it is best to give preference to fish and meat of low-fat varieties, steamed, and food of plant origin, namely:
If conservative therapy was ineffective, and the expectant mother did not feel better, doctors are forced to take extreme measures. It cannot be denied that surgical intervention can have a negative impact on the course of pregnancy and provoke its spontaneous termination, however, in especially severe cases, the expected harm from the operation is much less than the risk of losing the baby.
Surgical intervention is carried out with the use of anesthesia. During the operation, the cavities of the organs of the urinary system are cleared of stones. This method of treatment allows a woman not only to save the child, but also to give birth to him on time. If the symptoms of urolithiasis made themselves felt at a gestational age of 36 weeks, labor is stimulated, and the stones are removed after the baby is born.
A painful attack of urolithiasis in a pregnant woman begins, as a rule, suddenly and rapidly. First of all, you need to call an ambulance. Prior to her arrival, first aid consists in the use of an antispasmodic drug, which will partially eliminate the painful sensations. However, it should be remembered that not all antispasmodics are suitable for a pregnant woman. According to doctors, it is safest to take No-shpu (Drotaverine), Papaverine and Nitroglycerin. A Nitroglycerin tablet is placed under the tongue - a fast-acting drug stimulates the relaxation of smooth muscle muscles. Until the doctor arrives, it is imperative to monitor the volume of urine excreted, which is collected in a dry, clean container for further examination.
According to the reviews of women who encountered kidney stones during pregnancy, they were able to avoid the manifestation of painful attacks by observing certain preventive measures:
These rules are relevant not only for expectant mothers who often have symptoms of urolithiasis, but also for women in a position with a history of various anomalies of the urinary system.
Regularly cooperating with the doctor, the expectant mother will ensure the normal development and course of pregnancy, as well as the safe birth of the baby. Self-medication in this situation is unacceptable, since urolithiasis can lead to serious consequences for the health of a woman and her child. If any incomprehensible symptoms and painful sensations appear, you should immediately report this to the specialist in charge of the pregnancy.
If kidney stones are found in pregnant women, this is a serious pathology that requires a special approach to treatment while waiting for the baby. During gestation, significant hormonal changes occur - this may be one of the causes of KSD. But most often, calculi in the urinary organs are formed even before conception (the etiology of their appearance may be different), but during pregnancy, when the load on the body of the expectant mother increases, the disease makes itself felt.
Let us dwell in more detail on the reasons that cause urolithiasis during pregnancy. So, during the bearing of a child, the woman's body experiences a double load.
This also applies to the kidneys. In addition to the usual functions, the organs additionally process the waste products of the fetus, and then remove toxins from the body. As a result, the volume of excreted urine increases - up to 1600 ml.
There may be stagnation of urine due to progesterone, the concentration of which increases dramatically. Because of this, the tone of the bladder decreases. These factors cause the appearance of stones in the kidneys.
Another reason for the formation of stones is a decrease in immunity. As a result, various inflammations can begin, and infection (along with stagnation of urine) contributes to the formation of stones. Also, the formation of stones can provoke malnutrition, lack of physical activity.
Before planning a conception, the question sometimes arises - is it possible to get pregnant with kidney stones?
Sometimes these things are incompatible. (especially large sizes, with uneven sharp edges, etc.) can seriously damage the expectant mother, and, accordingly, the fetus. Therefore, before conception, a woman must undergo a complete medical examination (especially if the KSD or other chronic pathologies already have a history).
And if calculi are found, then you need to be treated before pregnancy, since then many drugs will be banned and therapy will become much more complicated. However, conception, which occurs a couple of years after the removal of the stone from the kidney, will be favorable.
In any case, only a doctor can make a prognosis. For example, they give birth when the KSD acquires a chronic sluggish form and does not manifest itself for several years. However, a special approach and control of the pregnant woman is required here, because it is after conception, in the process of gestation, that the pathology may aggravate or new stones begin to form.
Treatment of kidney stones during pregnancy is a rather complicated process. Therapy should be gentle, taking into account the condition of the woman in the position and the fetus. It is forbidden to use many drugs that can be prescribed in the usual state.
To eliminate pain, strong analgesics are also contraindicated. Then the question arises - if kidney stones appeared during pregnancy, what to do and can they be removed?
The main treatment is aimed at eliminating pain and inflammation, sometimes at dissolving stones and removing them. Treatment is always complex. It includes antispasmodics, analgesics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
The therapy can be supplemented with traditional medicine recipes and drugs that dissolve and remove stones. During treatment, it is important to observe the correct drinking regimen to prevent dehydration. All this is determined on an individual basis.
To reduce the inflammatory process and (small size and sand) for pregnant women, natural-based products are selected. They are often made from plant components and are practically safe for the expectant mother and embryo.
To eliminate calculi and reduce inflammation in the urinary organs during pregnancy, Kanefron can be prescribed. This drug is produced by a German company.
Additionally, Kanefron is an antispasmodic and diuretic, restorative agent. It fights well with pathogenic microorganisms. The composition of the drug includes centaury, rosemary, lovage, etc. It is available in the form of tablets and drops.
The drug is prescribed for the treatment of pathologies of the urinary system. Kidney stones can cause pain and painful urination. The drug eliminates discomfort and negative symptoms. However, to achieve the effect, Canephron is taken within a month. It can also be used as a prophylaxis to prevent the appearance of stones.
The drug is prescribed from the 2nd trimester, 1-2 tablets three times a day. You can not chew them, but you need to drink plenty of water. However, without consulting a doctor, the drug should not be taken. In some cases, it can provoke an increase in the tone of the uterus.
Cystone is available in tablets. It is an antispasmodic, diuretic, antiseptic. It has antimicrobial, nephrolitholic and anti-inflammatory effects. At the same time, it destroys existing renal calculi.
Cystenal is available in drops. They are taken orally several times a day. The drug is an antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory agent, diuretic.
Phytolysin is available in the form of a paste. A suspension is made from it. Phytolysin is an anti-inflammatory, diuretic and antimicrobial agent.
Doses and duration of treatment are selected individually by a specialist, taking into account the patient's condition.
Pregnancy with urolithiasis can be complicated by negative symptoms (for example, pain and discomfort when the stone is displaced). To eliminate pain, reduce spasm of antispasmodics, the safest for women in position will be No-Shpa, and Papaverine, Baralgin.
All antibiotics and antimicrobials are usually not used during pregnancy. Such drugs are prescribed only in case of emergency, if the inflammatory process cannot be eliminated by other methods. Monural can be prescribed as an antibacterial agent.
Please note: all drugs for the treatment of a pregnant woman and traditional medicine should be selected only by the attending physician, uncontrolled medication can only worsen the woman's condition and lead to miscarriage or other negative consequences!
Many women are interested in the question - what should a pregnant woman do when there are kidney stones? In this case, you need to: strictly adhere to the treatment recommended by the doctor, undergo the necessary examinations on time, follow a diet and proper drinking regimen.
During pregnancy, a kidney stone can not only cause severe pain, but also provoke various complications (for example, cause a threatened abortion). Therefore, if stones are found, a woman needs to. Before it, an examination is carried out to determine the type, number, size of stones.
To prevent the appearance of calculi, it is undesirable to consume carbonated drinks, as well as fried and smoked. For the period of pregnancy, confectionery, eggs, peanuts, potatoes should be excluded from the diet.
It is important to know that watermelons, apples, and bananas are good for the kidneys. Also in the diet you need to include millet and buckwheat in the form of cereals. Of the drinks, it is best to use berry drinks, freshly squeezed juices and herbal infusions.
An individual treatment menu will be developed by a nutritionist, taking into account the patient's condition and examination data.
Small stones during pregnancy are not dangerous for the fetus, large ones can cause stagnation of urine and subsequent infection. Then there is a risk of placental infection. Also, a stone moving along the ureter can sometimes provoke separation from the uterine walls of an egg with an embryo.
A woman may have colic. To relieve spasms and pain, it is allowed to take No-Shpu or Papaverine. However, only medicines prescribed by a doctor should be used. With colic, warming procedures, hot and relaxing baths are prohibited.
Please note: if severe spasms occur, do not pull, you must call an ambulance. The pregnant woman will be given first aid, the necessary examinations will be carried out and, most likely, inpatient treatment will be recommended.
Many women are interested in the question of how to give birth if kidney stones have formed. Usually, chronic urolithiasis (without negative symptoms) is not dangerous for a woman and a fetus.
However, early childbirth can be caused by a complicated form of the disease. For kidney stones, a caesarean section may be performed to ensure a normal delivery.
Small stones from the organs of a woman in position are mainly removed with the help of medications. However, if such therapy has proven useless, or in case of exacerbation of the KSD (or the occurrence of complications), as a last resort, surgery may be prescribed. It is better to carry it out before conception (during pregnancy planning).
It is strictly contraindicated for women who are carrying a child to self-medicate, this can create a risk of miscarriage and cause additional complications. Therefore, all therapeutic and preventive measures for urolithiasis must be coordinated with the attending specialist! You can learn more about the dangers of hard kidney formations during pregnancy and what can be done in this case from the video in this article.
