UTI - How urgently does it need to get fixed?

[angel1976]

Hi all,

I had a midwife appointment on Thursday (I'm 35+1 today..) and when they tested my urine, it looks like I could have a UTI (even though I have no pain whatsoever) because I think they test for amount of proteins in your urine and if it's positive or something, they would send off my urine for further analysis, which they have done. I called my GP yesterday (where I go see the midwife from the local hospital) and they told me the results take 7-10 days to come back! WTF? Surely if I have a UTI, it needs to be treated asap as I've been told it could cause PTL? Does this sound right to you? I am going to call my m/w tomorrow (if I can get gold of them!). Any advice? I don't really know what to expect...

Thanks, Ax

[Mumblesmummy]

Same thing has happened to me tho I think they've lost my results at the hospital as the midwives at the hospital have no results on their computer (despite telling me there was protein in it) and no results have gone back to my GP. I'm going to hand another one in tomorrow.

MSUs are only supposed to take a couple of days to come back. Unless they send the results by owl or pigeon? Try ringing the hospital and ask for your results.

[angel1976]

LOL... The hospital is only 5 minutes from my GP as well. Yes, a snail will probably get there faster than my results at the rate things are going. Good luck with yours! I am going to call tomorrow to pester them and I will let you know how it goes...

Ax

[Har]

Angel - had this a couple of months ago and was panicking lots as like you I heard that a UTI needs to be treated quickly. Got thoroughly pissed off and ranted to DH about useless midwife and general inefficiency (urine sample checked in same place as my clinic so thought should be extra quick) and eventually DH called up (I live abroad and am wussy in calling people!) and midwife explained that it takes a certain number of days as the urine sample needs to fertilise (sorry don't think that's the scientific name... forgotten what m/w said) to see what sort of bacteria has caused the UTI. Only one (rare) type is dangerous the other is common and is treated only because it causes discomfort. A dangerous bacteria UTI must be treated but it's not urgent as in every minute counts. Do pester them though as as MM says your results could have got lost, and it's just nice to have things explained to you and your mind put at rest. I assume your dr is right about the time scale though and doesn't seem concerned. It takes the time it takes for the sample to 'grow'.
Good luck and try not to worry!
Har x

[ILikeToMoveItMoveIt]

GET IT SORTED ASAP. I'm sure it can bring on early labour - not sure how or why, sorry!

[angel1976]

Har,

Thanks for the very useful information. I plan to call everyday to make a pest of myself until I get the results! Hopefully, because I am not in pain (and have been drinking lots of water) that even if it is a UTI, it would not be a dangerous one and it would go by itself. Thanks ILTMIMI, I do plan to get it sorted asap!

Cheers, Ax

[ILikeToMoveItMoveIt]

Good girl

Apparantly lots of people don't have any symptoms when they have UTI's. I've only ever had cystitis, and I bloody well knew I had that - oooouuuccchhhh.

[KelaS]

Interesting - I had a slight UTI a few weeks ago (suspected anyway - protein and white blood cells in urine), and the doctor put me on anti-biotics straight away coz he knew it would take ages to get results back (this was the Fri before New Year), and anti-biotics would clear it up before the results came back - and he was right - when he tested my urine again on the Monday the urine was clean. So never actually had the tests to confirm it.

[Har]

Angel, am sure it won't be dangerous either and am glad you're not in pain. Pester away though... have now got my poor midwife's email address and I don't give her a minute's rest! x

[angel1976]

LOL Har. How far along are you? I can't wait for the day when I can stop worrying about every little thing... I definitely will be calling though. To be fair, they have been good so far but I just wish they were more forthcoming with information etc so we don't have to resort to asking other mums-to-be who have been in the same place...

Ax

[Har]

Hi, I'm coming up to 20 wks so am envying that you have less worrying time... although I guess the worrying only really begins then. Sigh.
I agree with the lack of information thing, my place are really good on the whole but I like to have all the information and not just be told something and trust that implicitly. I guess Google has a lot to answer in 'educating' us too much! I do feel sorry for the midwives but for once I don't feel too guilty for making myself look like a paranoid worry-wort. The language barrier helps as I'm probably missing all her cutting subtext! A massive good luck for the last stretch of your pregnancy! x

[clayre]

i dont think they can test for infection straight away, i will be corrected, i think pee has to incubate for a few days before it can be tested, but if its suspected you would normally get antibiotics to be on the safe side.

[angel1976]

Thanks Har... I thought that around the 15-22 weeks period was the worse (sorry!). It's that stage where you stop feeling sick, you haven't really got a bump and haven't felt the baby move, so you feel like you are having a phantom pregnancy! I don't think I will ever stop worrying till I hold the baby in my arms! Thanks for the good luck, I will need it to get me through the last 5 weeks...

Thanks clayre, they definitely didn't prescribe any antibiotics, just told me they are doing the test and they will treat if I do have an infection...

Ax