Does it matter if hydronephrosis is found during pregnancy?

Mondo Health Updated on 2024-02-01

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After pregnancy, there are a lot of changes on the surface and inside the body. The abdomen is significantly bulging, and most pregnant women develop hydronephrosis, which is common in the second or third trimester. Most of these hydronephrosis are not harmful to the body and is called physiological hydronephrosis. This hydronephrosis is associated with changes in hormone levels in the body after pregnancy and the enlargement of the fetus pressing the urinary tract. However, a small number of people have hydronephrosis due to urinary tract stones, tumors or blood clots blocking the urinary tract, and compression of lesions outside the urinary tract, which require further diagnosis and treatment.

Pregnant women with physiological hydronephrosis often have no discomfort, so observation is often used, because hydronephrosis mostly occurs on the right side, you can try to lie on the left side to reduce the pressure of the enlarged uterus on the ureter, to relieve hydronephrosis. A small number of people may have low back pain or fever due to secondary infection of hydronephrosis, and severe pain may stimulate uterine contractions leading to preterm labor and miscarriage, so it needs to be managed aggressively. Severe hydronephrosis also needs to be active**. First of all, conservative**, use drugs to relieve pain and control urinary tract infections. If conservative** does not work, temporary placement of a stent or nephrostomy can be considered to drain hydronephrosis, control infection, and preserve kidney function, and wait for further evaluation after delivery**.

Hydronephrosis caused by ureteral stones or tumors can also be surgically removed or the tumor removed if needed.

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