cystitis in pregnancy

[Jimjams]

Had weird shooting pains all day on one side. (I'm 7 weeks) Finally rang out of hours dr who told me to rest for a few hours and ring back if they didn't go away. Anyway after sitting down for a while- and the pains being more notceable it occurred to me that I've been peeing all day. So anyway dug out the test strips from my bathroom cupboard- and sure enough have +++ leucocytes in the urine -so am assuming I probably have an infection- now rang back dr- an hour ago, and am still waiting to be phoned back.

Anyone had this in pregnancy and what was the treatment?

I've not had this, but found an information sheet here which says that antibiotics are usually given to pregnant women with cystitis because of the risk of complications. It would be something like ampicillin which is considered to be safe for use in pregnancy (according to the BNF ) (sorry can't do a link to the actual pages I found as it won't work, but you can do a search for ampicillin and also look in Appendix 4 under penicillins for info on safety in pregnancy).

In the meantime, I suppose you could try cranberry juice.

HTH and that it gets better soon.

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Hi Jimjams, and CONGRATULATIONS (didn't realise you were pg again).

I don't know how you feel about antibiotics but they are advised in pregnancy because, as you know, everything loosens up when you are pregnant and this includes the vlaves in your ureters. Therefore you are more at risk of a serious pyelonephritis (kidney infection) which can be damagind as I am sure you know fever can be dangerous as well as the chances of it damaging your kidney, or going into your blood, or (my horror of horrors) causing stones. I'm a bit paranoid about infections in pregnancy as my kidney stones were infection related.

Lots of fluids (in pregnancy up to 8-10 pints a day according to every obstetrician I saw), cranberry is also good but all fruit juices help to an extent. And consider antibiotics. If you are still waiting for the doctor and get a bad fever or pains in your flank, especially when you touch it or tap on it, you might want to think about calling again.

Hopr you feel better soon, you poor thing, I totally sympathise!

BTW they would probably either give you either trimethoprin or cephalexin, both of which are safe in pregnancy.
Is there any blood (either on the strip or to see??) cos that is a definite!

well on call doc was a bit stroppy with me for having my own clinistick things (naughty me- how dare I be capable of reading purple = +++ leucocytes). Although strangely enough when I said, "oh I've just got some on the back of my cupboard becuase my eldest son is autistic and holds onto his wee a lot"- he seemed to think that was fine!

Anyway have to take a sample in this morning, and will be given antibiotics if necessary. He said he prefers to avoid them if possible, which is fine by me- although as susanmt says- I certainly don't want to end up with a kidney infection, so I will take them if told to

Feel a bit better this morning, still some pain, but not the sharp shooting ones. Drank a whole carton of cranberry juice last night, and glasses and glasses of water so am hoping I managed to flush it out before it got a grip.

How are you feeling this evening Jimjams - hope you are a bit better.

Hi JimJam,
Answering your post because I've been diagnosed with exactly the same thing on Fri. On holiday wouldn't you believe! I'm nearly thirteen weeks and had sharp shooting pain, the doc was called out to me. This was in a foriegn country (but he has worked a lot in Uk hospital) he prescribed me ampicillin 325mg.
I have not collected the prescription because I think I brought it on myself. We had been on long coach journeys for the two days before, so I was trying not to drink too much so I wouldn't wee myself on the coach!! I have just drunk plenty and that seems to have flushed it out.
Avoid caffiene completely, it irriates the bladder so will make any problems even worse. Another thing to try is bicarbinate of soda dissolved in some water.
One good thing came out of this though, they were concerned about the baby so gave me an ultrasound scan, so we were able to see our baby for the first time for the first time, which was lovely!
Hope you are feeling better, don't worry about the docs opinion, I'm a nurse and they just hate it when anyone has a bit of knowledge, it makes them feel inadequate I think!!! Good luck!