Urinary Tract Infections & Bacterial Vaginosis Birth Injury
When a woman becomes pregnant, her body goes through many changes. Hormone fluctuations can leave her predisposed to certain bacteria overgrowth and infections. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) and bacterial vaginosis (BV) are two such common problems.
Understanding Urinary Tract Infections and Bacterial Vaginosis
UTIs are, as the name suggests, infections of the urinary tract. The human urinary system includes the kidneys, ureters (the muscle tubes which carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder), the bladder, and the urethra (through which urine is emptied). All of these organs are vulnerable to infection, and the risks increase for women when they become pregnant. A person suffering from a UTI may experience a number of different symptoms, depending on the location of the infection.
A lower urinary tract infection will affect the bladder and/or urethra, while an upper UTI impacts the kidneys and/or ureters. Pyelonephritis, an infection in the kidneys, includes symptoms such as fever, chills, nausea, and vomiting. Other infection locations often have different warning signs. Overall, general symptoms of any kind of UTI may include:
- persistent urge to go to the bathroom
- passing only small amounts of urine at a time
- burning sensation while urinating
- cloudy or bloody urine
- strong-smelling urine
- pelvic pain
BV, or bacterial vaginosis, is another infection altogether. It is an overgrowth of natural bacteria in the vagina and can cause watery discharge, a fishy odor, pain, itching, and burning. Sometimes women suffering from BV experience no symptoms at all.
Dangers of Urinary Tract Infections and Bacterial Vaginosis During Pregnancy
UTIs are a fairly common problem, and about 10 percent of all pregnant women experience them. UTIs typically cause pain and other negative bodily responses, but they can remain asymptomatic during pregnancy. The danger lies in the potential of the UTI to turn into a kidney infection, which can pose serious dangers like sepsis, pneumonia, and premature birth. To prevent this, urine should be checked at every doctor visit during pregnancy. If an infection is found, then antibiotics should be administered.
Bacterial vaginosis is also common: nearly one in five women will experience it during pregnancy. BV increases the risk of low birth weight and/or premature birth, both of which can lead to other serious problems for the baby, including brain damage and death.
It is extremely important that your doctor take proper precautions to detect urinary tract infections and bacterial vaginosis early, so that the necessary treatments can be administered. A doctor’s is negligence in screening for or treating these infections could lead to terrible consequences for you and your child.
Are You Entitled to Compensation?
Since 1968, Thurswell Law has fought for families who’ve suffered birth injuries. If you believe that you or someone you love has trusted a doctor or hospital during pregnancy, only to be left physically injured or suffering from a disheartening outcome due to negligence, contact us today. You may be entitled to monetary compensation. Call toll-free at 1-866-354-5544 for a free consultation, and learn how Thurswell Law can help. We charge no fee unless you collect.
