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Urology (Expert Forum)
rine in kidney during preganancy
Questions in the Urology forum are answered by Dr. Stephen Liroff, affiliated with the Henry Ford Hospital. Topics covered include benign prostate disease, penis curvature, cystisis, kidney stones, pediatric urology, prostate, sexual dysfunction, urinary tract infections (UTI), and urological cancers.
rine in kidney during preganancy
by yasmin, Oct 23, 1999 12:00AM
From the seventh month of my current pregnancy, I have experienced extreme back pain. ultrasound showed a swelling of my right kidney, which is made up of urine. Because my uterus is putting pressure on the ureter, I have been told my kidney cannot drain itself properly.
I have been in hospital on two separate occasions for a week each time during which they administered buscopan, a muscle relaxer by IV. I am now 36 weeks pregnant and have been given buscopan suppositories to take at home if the pain is severe.
I have asked my doctor if this medicine is safe on a continued basis for the baby. Also, because I am not getting sufficient rest because of the pain, I have been told an option is to bring the baby early. This kidney swelling combined with my extremely low blood count (8.5) makes it definitely considerable to opt for an elective caesarean. Please advise.
I have been in hospital on two separate occasions for a week each time during which they administered buscopan, a muscle relaxer by IV. I am now 36 weeks pregnant and have been given buscopan suppositories to take at home if the pain is severe.
I have asked my doctor if this medicine is safe on a continued basis for the baby. Also, because I am not getting sufficient rest because of the pain, I have been told an option is to bring the baby early. This kidney swelling combined with my extremely low blood count (8.5) makes it definitely considerable to opt for an elective caesarean. Please advise.
Doctor's Answer
by HFHS M.D.-BE, Oct 27, 1999 12:00AM
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Dear Yasmin,
During pregnancy there is a tendency for the right kidney (more than the left), to become swollen. One of the reasons as you pointed out is due to the pressure put on the right ureter by the enlarging uterus, especially since the uterus tends to go towards the right side as it grows. The hormones also cause some of the apparent swelling by virtue of relaxing the tissue of the ureter, allowing for its dilation. These are physiologic changes that take place in pregnancy, and are often well tolerated in most women without any major side effects. In certain individuals with other confounding factors such as kidney stones, this physiologic process could be a problem, since it could cause pain and potentially an infection. Of course I don’t mean to imply that you necessarilly have a stone. If you do, then you need to be seen by a urologist. It would be rare to need a stent (tube from kidney to bladder) placement without having a stone caused obstruction.
As far as” buscopan”, I am not sure what kind of medicine this is, and you should discuss this with the doctor who is giving it to you, or your ob/gyn.
Further, with respect to an elective C-section , I should tell you that this is a decision that you and your obstetrician have to arrive at. The potential pros and cons of this have to be weighed against waiting for the baby to come on its own. The decision would hinge on whether or not you have any compromise of the pregnancy at this time. I wish you the best.
This information is provided for general medical education purposes only. Please consult your physician for diagnostic and treatment options pertaining to your specific medical condition. More individualized care is available at the Henry Ford Hospital and its urban campuses by calling (1 800 653 6568).
Sincerely;
HFHS-M.D. BE
* Keyword: pregnancy and hydronephrosis
Dear Yasmin,
During pregnancy there is a tendency for the right kidney (more than the left), to become swollen. One of the reasons as you pointed out is due to the pressure put on the right ureter by the enlarging uterus, especially since the uterus tends to go towards the right side as it grows. The hormones also cause some of the apparent swelling by virtue of relaxing the tissue of the ureter, allowing for its dilation. These are physiologic changes that take place in pregnancy, and are often well tolerated in most women without any major side effects. In certain individuals with other confounding factors such as kidney stones, this physiologic process could be a problem, since it could cause pain and potentially an infection. Of course I don’t mean to imply that you necessarilly have a stone. If you do, then you need to be seen by a urologist. It would be rare to need a stent (tube from kidney to bladder) placement without having a stone caused obstruction.
As far as” buscopan”, I am not sure what kind of medicine this is, and you should discuss this with the doctor who is giving it to you, or your ob/gyn.
Further, with respect to an elective C-section , I should tell you that this is a decision that you and your obstetrician have to arrive at. The potential pros and cons of this have to be weighed against waiting for the baby to come on its own. The decision would hinge on whether or not you have any compromise of the pregnancy at this time. I wish you the best.
This information is provided for general medical education purposes only. Please consult your physician for diagnostic and treatment options pertaining to your specific medical condition. More individualized care is available at the Henry Ford Hospital and its urban campuses by calling (1 800 653 6568).
Sincerely;
HFHS-M.D. BE
* Keyword: pregnancy and hydronephrosis
