Pregnancy and Kidney Stones

There is an association between kidney stones (renal stones) and pregnancy. Yes, you have heard us right! Symptomatic kidney stones are common during pregnancy and need timely intervention.

Are you experiencing unbearable abdominal pain during pregnancy? Then, it can be attributed to kidney stones. Symptomatic stones majority of times can be seen during the second or third trimester. Symptoms of kidney stones are a pain in the upper abdomen or back pain that may spread to the groin or lower abdomen. The pain can be severe enough and may have to be reduced by painkillers. It is estimated that 1 in 300 to 1 in 1200 pregnant women can have symptomatic renal stones.

Cause

The cause includes physiological changes that take place in the woman's body. The size of the growing fetus squeezes the bladder during pregnancy. Hence, pregnant women will notice symptoms such as frequent urination. Physiological hypercalciuria and hyperuricosuria increase blood flow to the kidneys leading to the excretion of stone-forming waste products. The treatment protocols are different in pregnancy cases as compared to non-pregnant women.

The symptoms are nausea and vomiting, fever with chills, colicky abdominal pain, and urinary urgency with high frequency. Blood in the urine (hematuria) is also an alarming symptom. Renal colic is the most common non-obstetric emergency during pregnancy.

Treatment

The urologist and the gynaecologist should be consulted as soon as possible. As a urologist, I recommend avoiding taking any over-the-counter medications for pain as they harm the baby and might damage the kidneys. If someone already has a kidney stone diagnosed before pregnancy, it is always advisable to get it operated before pregnancy, if advised based on the stone size.

Treatment mainly depends in which trimester the patient has symptoms and the severity of the symptoms. Usually, in the first trimester, conservative management is followed, but only a urologist can decide. Based on symptoms and size of the stones, the patient might be advised for surgical intervention explaining all the procedure risks.

Conclusion

• Stay active and exercise daily. Consult the urologist without any delay in case there is constant abdominal pain.
• It is very important to stay hydrated as per the body weight. Remember, overhydration is also damaging, so proper water balance is crucial.
• Doing urinalysis tests and timely consultation with a urologist and gynaecologist can avoid the complications of kidney stone disease.