Constant Infections?

[Greeneyes0506]

For the better part of this pregnancy I have had a UTI, bladder infection, or kidney infection. I have been on antibiotics non-stop. The thing is, these infections haven't gone away in weeks, and its getting frustrating to say the least. Is there anything I can do to minimize this? Nothing is working and I am in constant pain. The doctor I saw told me I may need to see an OB instead of a midwife during this pregnancy, because I had some spotting too. He also told me that it may been I have to have a c-section is that even true? I feel so frustrated, I don't know what to do. Does anyone have any advice?

[mama_nym]

!!!

I started this pregnancy with a bladder infection - thankfully mine went away after a round of abx.

What antibiotics are you on? It sounds like whatever you're on isn't working. I took macrobid twice a day for 5 days and after 2 doses was feeling TONS better (before that I was doubled over in pain, with a high fever, etc.).

Have you tried taking cranberry capsules and/or drinking 100% cranberry juice, drinking water frequently, and getting as much rest as possible? Those things may help as well.

I have no idea why it would be suggested that you have to have a c-section due to having UTI/bladder/kidney infections early in pregnancy - that just doesn't seem right to me.

As far as ob vs. midwife- personally, I'd give a midwife a call because she may have some ideas that the doctors don't have as far as getting rid of the infections go.

[mama_nym]

Some more info ...
If you have a UTI/Bladder infection:
Drink 6-8 glasses of water each day and unsweetened cranberry juice regularly.
Eliminate refined foods, fruit juices, caffeine, alcohol, and sugar.
Take Vitamin C (250 to 500 mg), Beta-carotene (25,000 to 50,000 IU per day) and Zinc (30-50 mg per day) to help fight infection.
Urinate as soon as the need is felt
Empty your bladder completely when you urinate.
Avoid intercourse while you are being treated for an UTI.
Don't soak in the bathtub longer than 30 minutes or more than twice a day.

I think the doctor's concern may stem from the possibility of preterm labor and low birthweight babies if the kidney infection continues or recurrs later in pregnancy. There are different bacteria that cause the infections and some antibiotics are better at fighting different bacteria than others. If the one you're on isn't working, switch to a different one.

[Greeneyes0506]

[QUOTE=mama_nym;8623311] !!!

What antibiotics are you on? It sounds like whatever you're on isn't working. I took macrobid twice a day for 5 days and after 2 doses was feeling TONS better (before that I was doubled over in pain, with a high fever, etc.).

Have you tried taking cranberry capsules and/or drinking 100% cranberry juice, drinking water frequently, and getting as much rest as possible? Those things may help as well.

QUOTE]

I've been living off of cranberry juice and water. I've been on 3 different antibiotics so far. The one they said would work best I cannot take since I am nursing. I would have to stop breastfeeding to be able to take it.

[LoveChild421]

PROBIOTICS!!! I used to have almost constant UTIs a few years ago until I started taking probiotics. When you take antibiotics you get in the cycle of killing all the good bacteria and then when you finish the antibiotics your body has nothing but the strongest bad bacteria left and it starts to multiply like crazy. You can get probiotics from a naturopath or at the health food store. Take mega doses (like 5 times what is says on the label) and you can even open a couple capsules and mix them in yogurt, soak a tampon in the yogurt and then leave the tampon in overnight. That cures yeast infections, bacterial infections, you name it.

I used to have 4 UTIs a month at least and I have been UTI free for 3 years now as long as I stay vigilant about taking my probiotics and drinking a lot of water. Thats definately a biggie too.

To clear up the infection, Propolis is amazing. My friend just had a UTI and our naturopath prescribed propolis capsules and it cleared up in 2 days.

If you still can't get the infection resolved, I would go to a naturopath- there is obviously something out of balance in your body that really needs to be addressed and all medical Drs can do is keep giving you antibiotics which will keep making it worse. Both propolis and probiotics are not only safe to take while pregnant and nursing, but very beneficial.

As far as spotting goes, it could be bleeding from the UTIs. I've had UTIs so bad I peed nothing but blood. (I guess that's why I'm so excited to be free of them now).

[LawrenceDoula]

I had very bad UTI's with my first pregnancy and had some preterm labor at 24 weeks or so (because my doctor didn't take me seriously when I said I could NOT pee and I had blood when I would go to the bathroom), BUT even then I was never told I would need a c-section. That would be a sign for me to start looking for a new care provider. SECOND OPINIONS!!!

Also, make sure the cranberry juice you're drinking doesn't have sugar added. I plan on taking cranberry capsules regularly to try and prevent any problems.

Good luck! I know how miserable UTI's can make you!!