Kidney Stones in Pregnancy

I completely understand what you are going through and I am so sorry.

With all three of my pregnancy I was in and out of hospitals. Each child was born at different hospitals in different states. It wasn't until I got here in Texas that a doctor finally did something about it. They put a stent in. It's a little tube that the hooked to my kidney and the other to so where else. It didn't hurt me or the baby at all. There were still a few times when I was passing the stones that it hurt but nothing bad at all. It felt like you really have to use the bathroom but when you do go it is really slow and there is a little bit of persure. That's it.

I would deffinitly ask you doctor about it. It is really easy for them to do and I believe there is little very little risk of any kind involved.

I hope this helps

J.

I had 'em too!! They are absolutely HORRIBLE! I told the ER doc (after I had been heavily medicated) that I would rather go through my eighteen hour labor again than have the pain caused by those stones! I was fourteen weeks pregnant when I woke up one morning with bad cramps in my back and side right at the waist. I was also vomitting. After an hour of laying on the floor crying, my husband took me to the ER. We were terrified something was wrong with the baby! Thank God it was just kidney stones (that sounds crazy considering the pain I was in). As for everything else, I had no signs of protein in my urine or anything abnormal. I was in the hospital overnight, but asked to leave the next day after passing one stone (I still have some- I was given a script for pain meds to treat severe pain, but it's usually just a dull pain)I'm now twenty-two weeks pregnant. The doc told me I may not pass the remaining stones until after delivery.
Good luck to ya--I hope you don't have to go through that again!!!

I had kidney stones with my first and it was horrible. I'd say worse than labor. I went on to have two more pregnancies with no kidney stones. I was told that some woman are just more likely to develope them or have existing stones flare up during pregnancie. Low achy back pain is an indicator of several things but since it's so early in pregnancie and you have experienced this before you are the best judge. If you are concerned, make an apointment and have them look. It can't hurt.

God Bless,
L. Campbell
Guardian Angel Doula Service

I just posted on the same subject. I'm pregnant with my 3rd, and currently in the hospital, waiting to pass a kidney stone (also have a kidney infection). It has been SO painful that I've ben on morphine, and are transitioning me to lortab tonight. I didn't have anything like this in my last 2 pregnancies. My adcice to you regarding your question is to be proactive, and have them do whatever they have to in order to determine if you'll be passing the stones NOW, before the pain hits. I'm wondering if you can tell me about passing these stones..how long did it take? How painful was it? What meds were you on? Thanks for the advice!

I am so so so so sorry for what you are going through...I was diagnosed with a Kidney stone when I was 3mo pg with this last pg..My baby is 6 1/2 mo old currently. I just yesterday had a 10 mm stone busted up as well as one other located in the kidney.. I totally understand what you are going through. I would suggest that you talk with your doctor ASAP. Even if there is nothing they can do..Perhaps your OB can refer you to a Urologist. I am not sure what can be done during Pregnancy but I know you will atleast want to see if they can give you some pain meds...Hopefully you can pass this without difficulty well anymore than is expected.I wish I could be of more help. All I can really do is relate to your situation...I am sorry...

M.,

I had kidney stones with 3 of my children. They seemed to occur around my 6th month of pregnancy. I felt a heavy pressure on one side (the side the stone was on). Then it would get to where I had a strong sense to urinate, even though I didn't really have to, and a lot of pain. I only remember my back spasming once. As soon as my stones passed, I felt totally normal again. I also have only had stones in my pregnancy and at no other times (that I'm aware of anyway).

Sometimes doctors can test your urine to see if there are "crystals" appearing that can indicate a stone. My stones were calcium and did show some calcium crystals in the urine with my 3rd child (the second one that I had kidney stones with). I was hospitalized with him because it was causing me to have contractions. I passed one stone in the hospital (how they knew it was calcium) and another one a few weeks later at home.

Hi M.,

It sounds as if you know full well all about kidney stones. Girl I have had them and they are painful. I did not suffer with them during my pregnancy, but did suffer with the high protein levels in my urine. I was already hospitalized due to preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, so the high protein levels was just another added precaution. (28th week) I had to strain my urine every time I peed and count how much.

I would seek your OB's help (call them) and if they know your history, let them decide what should be done. If you know already what is going to happen, I would rather be prepared than not.

Good Luck!

Gladys

I've had them twice in my life and once was when I was pregnant. They are the worst and the only warning sign I had was the slight pain (like a pulled muscle) right before I was bending over in horrible pain feeling like my side was being ripped open. I'm sure you know what that feels like. I was in my 3rd or 4th month of pregnancy when I had the stones. I was in the ER for a few hours and they gave me meds for the pain until I passed them. I aso had a cathetor for some reason but can't remember why. I had a terrible pregnancy with my DD. I had gestational diabetes, bronchitis (twice), kidney stones and pre-eclampsia(sp?), finally ending with having to be induced (and emergency surgery after she was born requiring two blood transfusions) at 35 weeks!! And people wonder why she is an only child! haha Anyway, I know hypertension can lead to you spilling proteins in your urine. That is what happened to me and my kidneys were beginning to fail when I was induced. The dr let me carry her as long as possible (after a month on bed rest). Anyway, you might want to have your kidneys checked as well as your blood pressure.

Also, when I was referred to the urologist, I was told drinking any citrus juice will reduce the chance for stones along with plenty of water of course. Good luck and I hope you don't have anymore stones. They are the worst.
-T.