Do kidney stones affect the baby?

Understanding Kidney Stones in Pregnancy
Kidney stones, known medically as renal calculi, are a painful condition that can significantly impact those who suffer from them. While they are more commonly associated with adults, their occurrence during pregnancy raises specific concerns for both the mother and the developing baby.
Increased Risk During Pregnancy
Recent studies indicate that pregnancy can increase the risk of developing kidney stones for the first time. Research from the Mayo Clinic highlights that physiological changes during pregnancy, such as hormonal fluctuations and alterations in kidney function, contribute to this heightened risk. These changes can lead to increased calcium levels in the urine, which is a primary factor in stone formation.
Impact on the Baby
The direct effects of kidney stones on the fetus are not extensively documented, but the condition can lead to complications that may indirectly affect the baby. For instance, if a pregnant woman experiences severe pain or complications from kidney stones, it could lead to stress and anxiety, which are not ideal for fetal development. Moreover, certain treatments for kidney stones, particularly those involving imaging techniques that use ionizing radiation, pose risks to the fetus.
Management and Treatment Considerations
Managing kidney stones during pregnancy is complex. Healthcare providers must balance the need for effective treatment for the mother while minimizing risks to the fetus. Non-invasive treatments are often preferred, and in cases where intervention is necessary, careful consideration is given to the timing and method of treatment.
Conclusion
While kidney stones can pose challenges during pregnancy, the risks to the baby are primarily indirect and related to the mother’s health and treatment choices. Pregnant women experiencing symptoms of kidney stones should seek medical advice promptly to ensure both their health and that of their baby are safeguarded.

Can kidney problems harm my unborn baby?

How does chronic kidney disease affect pregnancy outcome? Women with severe renal impairment have the greatest difficulty conceiving, the highest rate of miscarriage, and the poorest pregnancy outcome.1,2,3,4 7,8 The degree of renal dysfunction correlates with the risk of a poor pregnancy outcome (table 3).

Is it safe to get pregnant with kidney problems?

Some changes in your body make it hard to become pregnant. For example, most women on dialysis have anemia (a low red blood cell count) and hormone changes. This may keep them from having regular menstrual periods. Women with kidney failure are usually advised against becoming pregnant.

Can kidney infections harm an unborn baby?

It can cause premature births and hospitalisation during pregnancy so it’s definitely worth knowing about a type of urinary tract infection called pyelonephritis. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are more common during pregnancy.

What gender is most affected by kidney stones?

Men are more than twice as likely to be affected as women, although this gap seems to be decreasing [1]. The reasons for the sex difference and for the apparent change over time have not been thoroughly investigated.

Can babies be born with kidney stones?

Stone disease in newborns is rarely reported and such cases pose a real challenge in diagnosis as well as management. We report a rare case of renal stone disease in a newborn aged 3 days.

How do they remove kidney stones while pregnant?

Treatment of kidney stones in pregnancy ranges from bed rest, pain relievers and getting enough fluids, to threading a very small telescope called a utereroscope into the bladder and kidney to remove or break up a stone.

Is it more painful for a man or a woman to pass a kidney stone?

While kidney stones can affect both men and women, the way they manifest can vary significantly due to anatomy. Common symptoms like flank pain, back pain, and urinary urge are shared experiences, but men may experience testicular and groin pain, while women might contend with UTIs and pelvic discomfort.

Can kidney stones block sperm?

Yes. If a kidney stone is stuck in your urethra, below the ejaculatory duct, it can block ejaculation or cause painful ejaculation as semen pushes the stone through the urethra and out of the penis.

Can kidney stones harm my unborn baby?

Presence of renal stones in pregnant women has been associated with a significant increase in the risk of recurrent miscarriage, mild pre-eclampsia, chronic hypertension, gestational diabetes mellitus, and caesarean deliveries. It has also been associated with premature rupture of membranes in one study.

What is worse, kidney stones or giving birth?

Did you know a kidney stone is more painful than childbirth and the amputation of a finger? Troy has seen the pain first hand in the ER. Urologist John Smith, MD, is back to explain what causes kidney stones, how they’re treated and – most importantly – four ways to prevent a stone from forming.