While kidney stone formation is more common in men than in women, the changes a woman's body experiences during pregnancy can also affect the urinary system and kidneys. One of the problems that can arise during this process is the formation of kidney stones or calculi.
The most characteristic symptom of kidney stones is renal colic, a very intense pain in the lumbar area due to the obstruction of the urinary tract by solid material (calcium, phosphate, oxalate, or uric acid crystals present in the urine that solidify, forming stones or calculi). The pain can radiate to the lower back and may be accompanied by stinging or discomfort when urinating.
Despite the somewhat alarming situation, there is usually no risk to the baby. Nevertheless, it is a reason for admission to a hospital to try to alleviate and control the pain intravenously, as well as to monitor the mother's health status until the episode passes.
During pregnancy, the natural expulsion of stones is quite common. For this reason, treatment is based on analgesics to relieve pain, rest, and monitoring of the evolution using ultrasounds, as it is the safest and most reliable test for both mother and baby.
It is worth noting that women with a tendency to form stones and suffer from renal colic before pregnancy are more prone to developing them during gestation, as well as throughout their lives. For this reason, to prevent the new formation of kidney stones, it is recommended to follow specific guidelines: drink plenty of fluids (at least 2 liters a day), follow a low-calorie diet, limiting the consumption of salt, sugars, and alcohol, and pay special attention to urinary pH, one of the factors most related to kidney stone formation.
Maintaining a preventive pH range between 5.5 and 6.2 will help maintain the optimal acidity level to avoid stone formation. This can be achieved with the Lit-control method, which allows you to measure and control urinary pH at any time and thus know if there is a risk of stone formation or not.
