Treating a UTI while pregnant?

[ILovePie]

I have a UTI that apparently didn't go away with a course of Keflex.

So, I was looking around online at alternatives, and thinking of doing baking soda dissolved in water - in addition to just drowning my bladder in plain water.

Is there any issue with this when pregnant? I would think not, but thought I'd ask.

Any other suggestions besides wiping front to back, possibly abstaining from sex, cranberry juice (which has never worked for me, but I might go get some tomorrow to try)?

[prettyuglybefore]

Ugh, sorry you are dealing with a UTI.

I've never had one during pregnancy but I used to get them a ton in my 20s.
I found that once it hit a certain point the usual remedies didn't work as well and I would end up on antibiotics to clear it out. The only thing I remember about that was that the sulpha-based drugs didn't touch the UTI. Not sure which family Keflex is in.

Water is an absolute must - as much as you can handle. I've had some luck with cranberry in pill form as well as "just cranberry" juice, though I'll warn you in advance, cut it with water! I know that there is a company that is combining probiotics and cran as well, but I can't remember the brand.

I've never heard of the baking soda but I'd make sure it's safe before you try it.

Just don't wait too long to deal with it. Spreading to kidneys is no good.

- good luck, mama!

[Jazzmin]

I have heard of the baking soda regimen. I know that it is a bit more involved and there is an entire theory behind it. I would not think it would be an issue while pregnant. Have you tried cranberry pills? I get UTI's easliy during pregnancy so I take cranberry pills twice a day to keep them at bay.

[ILovePie]

haven't tried cranberry pills - I'll see what our coop has when I shop tomorrow. This is so annoying!

[Carlyle]

Originally Posted by prettyuglybefore

I found that once it hit a certain point the usual remedies didn't work as well and I would end up on antibiotics to clear it out.

Yes to this. I got 2 in my first trimester with dd, and finally read the insert on the antibiotics to see what the pregnancy ramifications were. Basically, it's okay during early pregnancy, but towards the end of pregnancy they're more dangerous for some reason that I can't remember right now. So I vowed to avoid getting any more, because even if antibiotics are contraindicated, you still have to take them because a UTI is even more dangerous!

So yeah, whatever you do, if it's not going away I'd definitely go to a doctor and get some antibiotics...take them for the full course, then take some probiotics to rebuild your body, and then take steps to make sure you don't get another one!

Here's what helped me clear them up and make them stop:

1. Cut out all sugar, corn syrup, dehydrated cane juice, etc (read labels--they're in so many things! Bread, peanut butter, yogurt, etc...but you can find brands without them. Just cutting these hidden sugars did wonders for me and lessened the effect of my occasional snickers bar )

2. Jump out of bed after sex to pee and wash your bits off.

3. Drink tons of water and pure cranberry juice (not cranberry cocktail--if it's mixed with other fruits, their sugars negate the good effects of the cranberry). Cranberry pills were good for this for me too.

Good luck, I'm sorry you're dealing with this...it's such a bummer!

[ILovePie]

Oh I definitely do not plan to avoid antibiotics - but I just finished a course and still have the UTI!

I also really worry because I already have kidney disease - I really don't need to deal with more stress to my kidneys if the infections gets there! I'm off to buy cranberry juice today.

We generally don't eat a lot of sugar - I even make our peanut butter from scratch!

*sigh*

This is so annoying, especially because I have to pee constantly!

[KristaDJ]

D-mannose will safely cure a UTI in a couple of days. I have used it on my DD several times, it always works.

[Jazzmin]

When I was in my co-op buying more cranberry pills the "supplement specialist" told me that colloidal silver will knock a UTI out.

[xtara2003x]

Originally Posted by KristaDJ

D-mannose will safely cure a UTI in a couple of days. I have used it on my DD several times, it always works.

My friend takes the D mannose a lot for her UTI's and it cures them every time.

I remember with DD that I had a UTI. In fact, I didn't even KNOW I had a UTI until I woke up vomiting constantly and couldn't keep anything down. I thought it was morning sickness...but it was TERRIBLE. I was so weak and dehydrated that I decided to go in and get fluids. I asked if they could take a urine sample just in case (they didn't even ask me!!!) and so I peed in a cup and they came back and said I had a SEVERE UTI. Yikes. They gave me antibiotics (which I took but if I knew then what I know now I wouldn't have).

I would do what a PP said and cut out all sugars. Drown yourself in water, and cranberry juice (PURE) and the cranberry pills. As well as the D mannose too. That will help sooo much!

Good luck!!

[mangosink0]

I always took macrodantin (an antibiotic) when I got a UTI during pregnancy. One of my pregnancies I got so many UTI's that they put me on a prophylactic dose of it.

[KristaDJ]

That's not surprising, antibiotics lead to recurrent infections.

[GPabrown]

I found this while I was researching antibiotics and I thought it might be helpful to share! It's informative about UTIs, the antibiotic and offers some extra spending money :) I'm copying and pasting what I've founds below! Hope this helps ladies!!! UTIs are no fun. 

"If you have experienced a urinary tract infection (UTI) in your lifetime, treat yourself to a $25 Amazon gift card. [http://almatica.com/macro/macrodantin.html]  You deserve it!

UTIs account for nearly 10 million doctor visits annually, and one in five women will have at least one UTI in her lifetime, according to the National Kidney Foundation. A UTI occurs when bacteria enter the urinary tract and multiply.

Antibiotics can treat most UTIs successfully, but the type of antibiotics prescribed will depend on several factors, such as the cause of the infection, the type of antibiotic and other medical conditions.

If you experience any of the following symptoms that typically indicate a UTI, you should consider seeing your doctor.

• An urgent need to urinate, often with very little urinate passed
• A burning feeling while urinating
• Cloudy or blood-tinged urine
• Urine with a strong odor

Learn more about Almatica pharma at www.almatica.com"