What is Urinary Tract Infection?

What is Urinary Tract Infection? This is a common infection for women especially for expectant mother! It is believed that women has shorter ureters than men that is why women are at high risk for this kind of infection! It is a bacteria known as Escherichia coli! If not treated it can lead to kidney problem, the bacteria will now go up to the kidney thus worsen the problem! They said it is just normal for pregant women to develop this because of the growing fetus, the bladder will now be pressed thus hindring the bladder to get empty. That is why expectant mother during the early pregnancy will have frequent scanty urination!

I am now on my 22week and I had this infection, my OB-Gyn prescribed me antibiotic to cure my UTI. During the early stage of my pregnany I knew that I have UTI because of these symtoms;

. I have a strong odor urine- my hubby told me maybe I have urine infection because fresh urine wont have a strong odor.
. Dark yellow colored urine- it is like a very concentrated urine, normal urine is clear and mucus-free.
. Frequent scanty urination- I just love to sit in my urine basin the whole day to wait for my bladder to get empty before sitting up!
. Sometimes I develop pain in my lower abdomen and lower back! I want to just lie down to straighten my back.

Watch out guys if you have this symstoms maybe you already have this infection! Routine urine check up is needed to know and treat in an early stage! Bring with you your urine test result before going for a prenatal, surely the doctor will ask for that!

Based on my knowledge and personal experience I can list some ways on how to avoid this, with or without scientific explanation.

. Drink a lot of water- this can flush and wash out the sleeping bacteria in our bladder! Water cleanses and helps our body homeostasis.
. Drink fresh young coconut juice- some says this is good for UTI. Coco juice has this diureting effect you can feel the urge to urinate after drinking coconut juice. This is true my grandmother told me this:)
. Avoid salty and oily foods- some of the kidney stones are made of salt crystals, oily foods can affect our heart and kidney if eaten excessively
. Maintain a good heigine, use tissue to pat dry after peeing but be sure it is from front to back not from back to front thus your promoting the bacteria from anal region to enter.
. Change pantyliner often- pantyliner can be a good habitat for the bacteria so it is good to change it 1-2x per day.

This is my simple and practical ways that would help us avoid UTI. As a nurse I have a little knowledge about this and I hope it could help you too.