Painful urination in pregnancy

Pregnant women can be more likely to get UTIs because of the changes the body goes through. 

What are the signs of a urinary tract infection?

Symptoms of a UTI include:

• discomfort in the lowest part of your stomach (pelvis)
• back pain
• loin pain (your sides between the lower ribs and pelvis, and the lower part of the back)
• needing to wee a lot or an uncontrollable need to wee
• cloudy, foul-smelling (fishy) or bloody wee
• a raised temperature (over 37.5°C)
• feeling sick (nausea) and vomiting.

What should I do if I have a urinary tract infection?

If you get a UTI in pregnancy, it is not an emergency, but it should be treated as soon as possible with antibiotics that are safe to use in pregnancy. This includes if you have a very common UTI, such as cystitis. Normally, you may not see your GP if you have cystitis, as mild cases often get better without treatment. However, if you are pregnant it’s important to get treatment to prevent the infection from spreading to the kidneys. UTI infections can also induce premature labour if left untreated.

Your GP will ask for a sample of your wee so that it can be tested to make sure that you are put on the correct antibiotic. Find out more about drugs and medications in pregnancy.