UTI/Kidney infection or just back ache?

[nicannie]

The last week or so I've suffered really back bad pain. I'm currently 21w4d pregnant.

I'm not sure if it's just general back ache that I'm not used to or it's a kidney infection. I've had a really bad kidney infection before, and the pain feels very similar. Can't get comfy, feel like I have to move constantly, I need to go to the loo a lot more than usual even for being pregnant, the only thing I had the last time that I don't have this time is blood in my urine. I've also had loss of appetite but forcing myself to eat as know I need too. The pain particularly in my right side right at my ribs is really painful, still been feeling my baby move a fair bit so know that she is ok. It could just be the way she is lying when I'm sat about all day at work, but I am worried it could be a kidney infection. Has anyone else had a kidney infection during pregnancy?

I've phoned the doctors and waiting for a triage call back - hopefully it will be soon so I can be seen.

You definitely need to be seen to esp with having blood in urine. Can your GP not fit you in to check your urine as even a uti will be picked up but with your symptoms it sounds like its possibly kidney related. I had a really bad kidney infection during my 2nd pregnancy I also had dehydration at the same time so the pain I thought was from constantly shivering but I remember it all so well it's an unpleasant pain. Hope you get seen too asap xx

Sorry m if that didn't read correctly, the only thing I don't have this time that I had with my last urine infection is blood in my urine - as in I have no blood in my urine this time but did last time I had a kidney infection.

The GP phoned back and doesn't even want to see me. Offered me anti biotics and I've to hand a sample in which I'm headed to do now. But I don't want to take the tablets until I phone back tomorrow for results. Will see how it goes. Just glad to be away from work as the pain is quite bad now, seems to be getting worse. Thank you for ur well wishes xx

Hey OP.

Please please call your maternity ward and see if they will get you checked out.

I recently had my first DC. I was admitted to hospital at 36 weeks with severe back and abdominal pain which turned out to be a kidney infection. However I was severely dehydrated also so I wasn’t peeing more and potentially that made it difficult to spot.

But it was missed and developed into sepsis which caused issues for me and my DC, he was brought on my EMCS 3 weeks early and we were quite poorly for a while.

Please don’t leave it.

Always better to be over cautious.

@LLMD that's awful I'm so glad ur all ok now. I'm currently waiting on anti biotics at the chemist. Been told my results won't be back until Thursday. If the pain continues I'll definitely ring maternity unit tomorrow. Wondering whether I should just start the anti biotics straight away when I get them, even before finding out the results as they advised me to do this as well. So probably best too do it. X

@nicannie I would start them if it was me. But I am very overly cautious now!

If you’ve had one before and you know the pain and recognise it, then trust your own instinct and get going with them, they will hopefully take some of the pain away too. Pregnancy is tough so if you can make it easier on yourself then do it

Please contact your maternity unit immediately. You should be seen and examined today.
The advice you have been given whilst it may be appropriate if you are not pregnant is definitely wrong in your case. Did the GP understand/note that you are pregnant?
Urine infection in pregnancy can be very serious. If it isn't a urine infection you need to know what it is.
Urine infection can lead to premature labour. Please get seen today.

@Nanmumandmidwife the doctor I spoke to over phone knew I was pregnant and didn't seem too worried about my symptoms. I feel a bit better since I came home pain wise. I'm not sure if I'm being petty at work and it is just back pain from my work seat? No idea. I have the anti biotics for now too

Hi, they can check for a kidney/uti infection and get results immediately, its only a more detailed check of urine sample that takes a few days. I would 1000% get checked out as kidney/uti infections can bring on preterm labour. I had 3 during my pregnancy and each time they wanted to treat it with antibotics asap. I had the exact same symptons as u describe. Hope u feel better soon, they arnt nice but once u start antibiotic u will feel better 🤞😁

@BabanOnTheWay that's really helpful thank you!! I think I'll start my anti biotics then. I don't think they will do me any harm even if it wasn't an infection - surely?

I'll start them tomorrow to be sure. And I'll phone back for my results tomorrow and see if they were checked in the surgery as your right, my friend works in a GP surgery and told me the samples get dipped then and there that evening. Thanks again xx