Many women find their urine darker and smellier than usual during the initial stages of pregnancy. Oftentimes, this is attributed to the pregnant woman's heightened sense of taste and smell. The urine may smell the same but just because the woman is more sensitive to smells, she finds the urine having stronger smell. However, smelly urine must not always be shrugged off as just a heightened sense of smell in the pregnant woman. Urinary tract infections (UTI) are quite common during pregnancy, especially in the first trimester because of the hormonal changes that the expectant mother's body goes through. So, other than smelly urine, if the expectant mother has symptoms like a burning sensation while urinating, frequent urination, vomiting, nausea, and often fevers and chills, she must consult a doctor as they could be caused by UTI. Since pregnant women suffer from these symptoms in any case, so they often do not suspect a case of UTI.
The expectant mother must get any UTI treated as early as possible as it can affect the kidneys if left untreated. Kidney ailments during pregnancy can pose a serious health hazard as it would mean obstruction or disruption to the organ's function of filtering large volumes of blood flowing in the mother's body. A pregnant woman can prevent and treat UTIs by consuming lots of water (at least 8 glasses of 8-ounce) and other fluids. Staying hydrated not only flushes out the bacteria but also regulates hormonal levels, and is generally good for health. She must also avoid using unhygienic toilets and wipe herself from front to back to prevent the rectal bacteria from encroaching the urinary tract. Juices that can help in the treatment of UTI are cranberry juice and cherry juice as these are rich in Vitamin C and can effectively keep the bacteria out of the urinary tract. Drinking about two glasses of unsweetened cranberry juice or cherry juice or consuming a few blueberries everyday keeps the bladder healthy.
A pregnant woman must consume only healthy food with lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. Spicy and acidic foods, processed food, and fast food must be avoided as they contain preservatives that cause heartburn and constipation, which are both linked to UTI in some cases. It's also important to avoid alcohol and caffeine as they aggravate symptoms of UTI and are bad for the mother's and the fetus' health. She must also wear comfortable cotton underclothing to prevent further infection or discomfort.
Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.