Ensuring your kidney’s health during pregnancy

Are you thinking about pregnancy? If so, visit FirstCure Health for a screening so that we know your medical conditions and can advise you as per your personal health. Your body will under gosome significant changes during a normal pregnancy which put a lot of stress on the structure and function of kidneys. Kidney disease is an uncommon yet critical health complication which may develop during pregnancy, challenging the outcomes for both the mother and child.

Kidney disease can complicate an otherwise normal pregnancy. So if you had kidney disorders prior to pregnancy you may face kidney issues during this phase. There are increased chances of you developing kidney disease if you have a family history of renal failure, high blood pressure or diabetes. Apart from the natural causes, a vital role in triggering renal problems are other extraneous factors like poor diets, smoking/drinking, excessive use of antibiotics and the consumption of illegal drugs.

At FirstCure Health, we commonly come across two kinds of situations where there are kidney related problems during pregnancy:

Your undetected kidney disease may be discovered during routine antenatal visits when we observe a rise in blood pressure or protein in the urine. These patients need careful monitoring of their blood pressure to detect the onset of a life-threatening complication – ‘Eclampsia’ during the second half of pregnancy; the symptoms include headaches, blurred vision or swelling of the hands, feet or face. Unrecognized, it may involve multiple organs resulting in kidney and liver failure and the development of convulsions – Eclampsia or Toxemia of pregnancy. This life-threatening complication requires the baby to be delivered and post that the mother gradually improves within the next 48-72 hours.

Another complication which can occur during the first trimester is a condition known as Hyperemesis Gravidarum – when many women may have excessive vomiting – leading to severe dehydration which may lead to kidney dysfunction. This is easily correctable with hydration.

Other kidney problems which may occur later during the pregnancy are Thrombotic Microangiopathy – it is life threatening complication and involves the breakdown of blood components and multi-organ failure. Appropriate treatment or special interventions like plasma exchanges with or without renal replacement therapy are required.

Ensuring a healthy mother and baby is necessary, with timely recognition of any complication by undergoing the following during pregnancy:

The early harbinger of underlying kidney problems is protein in urine and high BP. Visit FirstCure immediately to seek the help from a specialist.

Advise by FirstCure Health during pregnancy

Keep your body hydrated by drinking enough water. This helps in treating UTI (along with a prescribed dose of antibiotics).

Workout / exercise will help you controlweight and stay fit. But don’t overexert as this will stress your kidneys, causing excessive breakdown of muscle tissue.

Develop healthy eating habits because most kidney problems are caused of high blood pressure or diabetes. Incorporate nutrition-rich food items into your diet. Eat healthy for your child, follow your diet chart and daily work-out scheduleto keep yourself and your unborn child healthy and nourished.

Avoid substance abuse like drinking, smoking and the consumption of drugs is an absolute no for a pregnant woman. Smoking increases the risk of high blood pressure as well as kidney cancer.

Controlintake of over-the-counter medications. When you consume non-prescription pills for a prolonged period of time it can damage the kidneys.

Visit FirstCure Health for routine kidney screening. It’s important to know your risks if you or your close relatives have heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes or a family history of kidney failure. In these cases, we will conduct specific kidney tests as part of your regular checkup. The earlier you catch it, the easier it is to treat and keeping you and your unborn child healthy.