Urinary Tract Infection

Question 1

What is a UTI

Answer 1

An infection caused by bacteria in the urinary tract

Question 2

What are signs and symptoms of a UTI

Answer 2

• Dysuria
• Urgency to urinate
• Passing urine more frequently
• Offensive smelling urine
• Discomfort

Question 3

Complications of UTI include;

Answer 3

1. Acute UTI - left untreated can cause kidney damage
2. Acute cystitis - causes significant discomfort, can be recurrent
3. Pre term labour - associated with a link to causing pre term labour in 2-10% of pregnancies
4. Acute pyelonephritis - a more serious infection, can develop to septicaemia including multi organ failure or death.

Question 4

What is the role of the midwife?

Answer 4

Test urine at every antenatal appointment
Advise to drink 2 litres daily
Empty bladder after intercourse
Avoid catheterisation if possible
Regular fluid antenatally, in labour and postnatally
Antibiotics are safe for breastfeeding mothers

Question 5

Treatment includes..

Answer 5

Usually antibiotics

Recurrent UTI’s may require renal ultrasound, abdomen X-ray or cystoscopy