Causes of Kidney Stones during Pregnancy:
Kidney stones can occur during a woman’s pregnancy. Stones during pregnancy are a rare occurrence. Correct and proper diagnosis is necessary to ease the pain and prevent early labour. Most of the stones are small enough to pass through the urinary tract, but the larger stones require medical intervention and treatment.
There are specific changes that occur in the woman’s physiology during pregnancy that may affect the urinary tract which make it more likely for her to develop kidney stones. In later stages of pregnancy, the size and position of the uterus can restrict the outflow of urine. The ureters get dilated in pregnancy and may not eliminate urine as efficiently.
If the urine is not fully eliminated a stone or infection can occur. These changes usually occur in the second trimester and subside after delivery.
Also, during pregnancy, a variety of changes happening with vitamins and minerals can also cause the formation of kidney stones. During this state, the body tends to handle calcium less effectively, thereby leading to the onset of kidney stones.
Treatment of Kidney Stones during Pregnancy:
There are two types of treatments for kidney stones that occur during pregnancy – invasive and non-invasive treatments. Non-invasive treatments do not involve surgery or inserting any instruments into the patient’s body. Invasive treatments do.
Invasive treatments:
Stenting – A stent or PCN tube is placed in the ureter. The tube passes the urine lessening the burden on the contraction of the urinary tract. The tube is not removed till the end of pregnancy.
Ureteroscopic Stone Removal (URS) – URS is the recommended method for pregnant women where stone removal is necessary. Holmium is used to fragment stones and is used as an alternative to ESWL.
Non-invasive treatment:
The patient is advised bed rest, adequate fluid intake, and medications to help manage the disease. Most of the stones (70-80%) pass spontaneously with conservative treatment.
How Kidney Stones Affect a Pregnancy:
Untreated kidney stones may lead to premature labour or interfere with normal labour, which could pose a health threat to the baby. Therefore, if you are pregnant, you must check if you have kidney stones, and if you do, seek to remove them.
At the Kidney Stone Clinic, we have urologists and obstetricians who have experience in treating pregnant women who have kidney stones. You can be assured of compassionate, safe and competent treatment from us.
