Kidney Stones During Pregnancy

The majority of stones consist of calcium containing crystals.

Kidney stones during pregnancy. Anatomical and physiological changes during pregnancy can increase a woman s risk of developing kidney stones. A laboratory assessment of urine culture will confirm the infection. Both of these factors can elevate your risk of developing stones.

The lack of fluids in your body causes an increase in the concentration of minerals like phosphorous and calcium in the urine which leads to the formation of kidney stones. Additionally calcium absorption is increased during pregnancy. Kidney stones or nephrolithiasis are an uncommon illness during pregnancy 3.

Kidney stones are a painful condition for a relatively normal person. As one of the most common causes of abdominal pain in pregnant patients in the second and third trimesters kidney stones usually pass without the need for treatment. Treatment of kidney stones in pregnancy ranges from bed rest pain relievers and getting enough fluids to threading a very small telescope called a utereroscope into the bladder and kidney to remove or break up a stone.

Drinking less than the required amount of water may thus lead to kidney stones. Kidney stones during pregnancy pose an increased risk of miscarriage preeclampsia gestational diabetes mellitus and c section deliveries. Approximately 80 90 of urinary stones are diagnosed after the first trimester completes.

Kidney stones during pregnancy are often seen in women who have had multiple pregnancies. Chronic and persistent urinary tract infections may be a symptom of kidney stones. Here are various ways to diagnose kidney stones during the pregnancy.

Diagnosis of kidney stones during pregnancy. If you ve already had kidney stones the best way to stop future stones is to drink enough liquid about 3 quarts ten 10 ounce glasses a day. Urolithiasis in pregnancy is often a diagnostic challenge.