In your late 20s and early 30s, something shifts. 

Suddenly, the people you grew up with - your friends, your cousins, your classmates, everyone starts announcing their pregnancies. You hear stories of how special their journey was, how they felt when they felt the baby kick for the first time, sometimes you see pictures of their ultrasound. You’re overwhelmed with joy, you’re happy for them. But then, you also hear stories of the difficult pregnancies that some of them might have, of infections, of preterm babies, of nausea. 

This became real for me a few months back when my oldest friend from school conceived a baby. I was over the moon but soon she contracted a severe urinary tract infection (UTI), her membrane ruptured, amniotic fluid started leaking and she ended up delivering preterm at 24 weeks. Around the same time, when I was about 16 weeks pregnant, another friend who was expecting, contracted a painful bacterial infection.

In sheer panic, I messaged my doctor, asking her how to prevent UTIs during my pregnancy. Later, I started researching more about bacterial infections – the causes, the symptoms, the cure and the prevention.

TL;DR:

Pregnant women are more prone to UTIs due to hormonal changes and pressure on the urinary tract. Staying well-hydrated, not holding urine, maintaining gentle genital hygiene, wearing breathable clothing, and adopting mindful sexual habits can significantly reduce the risk. Small, consistent at-home practices—along with trusting your body and seeking medical advice when needed—can go a long way in protecting both mother and baby.

What makes pregnant women more prone to UTIs?

Estrogen and Progesterone are the Gods of pregnancy. Everything that happens inside the body is governed by these two hormones. As your pregnancy progresses and more progesterone is released in the body, urinary tract muscles begin to relax. This is because the body is gradually preparing itself for dilation during labour. Additionally, as the uterus grows more in size, the urinary muscles become less and less toned and don’t contract as forcefully. This results in the urine staying longer in the urinary tract, giving bacteria more opportunity to grow and ascend. Sometimes, hormonal shifts also lead to UTIs.

How to identify a UTI?

Common UTI symptoms include:

•  a strong urge to urinate, 

• a burning sensation during urination,

• pain or pressure in the lower abdomen or pelvic area.

At-Home Tips for Preventing UTIs During Pregnancy

Simple precautions by expectant mothers can prevent UTIs. Some lifestyle changes that you can include in your daily life are:

1. Stay hydrated: The most common advice that you will receive will be to drink plenty of fluids during the day, especially water. Adequate hydration can help continuously flush the bladder and urethra, which can wash out bacteria before they cause trouble. Pair this with a balanced diet rich in vitamin C, which can acidify the urine slightly and support your immune system.

2. Do not hold your urine: Very important! Holding your urine can lead to bacterial growth. Frequent urination can help prevent that. Also ensure that you take a pee after intercourse, as intercourse can push bacteria toward the urethra. Urinating within 10-15 minutes afterward helps flush out any introduced microbes

3. Use toilet paper and wipe front to back: It is important to keep your vaginal area dry. Not wiping your vagina after passing urine can lead to a little urine deposit in your panties, which can incite bacteria to build a home. Always use toilet paper to wipe from front to back. This prevents bacteria from the rectal area from being wiped toward the urethral opening.

4. Maintain good genital hygiene: Avoid using harsh soaps, scented feminine washes or deodorant sprays/powders in the genital area. Vaginas usually have a self cleansing mechanism, so washing them thoroughly even with plain water can do the trick. It’s also advisable to switch to short showers rather than taking hot tubs or bubble baths. Prolonged soaking in a bath can allow bacteria from the vaginal/anal area to enter the urethra more easily. Also, wear breathable underwears that allow your lady parts to breathe. Wearing tight underwear can lead to excessive sweating and moisture, something that bacteria love.

5. Build smart sexual habits: Sexual activity is a common trigger for UTIs, so a few precautions help. Ensuring that both partners wash their genital areas before intercourse. This helps in keeping the bacteria away. Using condoms and sufficient lubrication are also helpful in ensuring that bacteria create their home elsewhere.

6. Clothing: Wearing loose, breathable clothing and avoiding lingering in wet swimwear or sweaty gym clothes can help prevent UTIs to a great extent.

Pregnancy has a way of making us feel both invincible and incredibly fragile at the same time. You’re growing a whole human inside of you, but you’re also suddenly hyperaware of every ache, every twinge, every story you hear from people around you.

It’s natural to feel scared when you hear about infections, complications or preterm births, especially when they happen to people you love. I’ve been there too - panicking, googling symptoms at 2 AM, and messaging my doctor over what might seem like “small” concerns. But what I’ve learned through this process is that it is important to keep calm and that small, consistent habits can make a big difference. Most importantly, always trusting your intuition is the key to navigating through this process. And that, in itself, is a quiet, powerful beginning to motherhood.