Kidney Disease During Pregnancy

Houston Kidney Specialists Center - - Nephrology

Nephrology & Internal Medicine located in Cypress and North Houston Area, TX

Nephrology & Internal Medicine & Nephrology located in Willowbrook Office, Houston, TX & Memorial Hermann Cypress, Cypress, TX

Pregnancy is an exciting time for expectant moms. But it can place a lot of stress on your body and may lead to complications if you have kidney disease. The skilled team at Houston Kidney Specialists Center offers kidney disease management during pregnancy to ensure you and your baby stay healthy throughout gestation. To schedule a consultation to discuss kidney disease during pregnancy, call one of the four offices located in Houston or Cypress, Texas, or book an appointment online today.

Kidney Disease During Pregnancy Q & A

Is pregnancy safe for women with kidney disease?

If you have kidney disease and want to have a baby, the team at Houston Kidney Specialists Center can help determine if it’s safe for you. Both pregnancy and kidney disease place additional stress and strain on the body, which may affect you and your baby’s health.

Before you get pregnant, the team at Houston Kidney Specialists Center conducts a comprehensive evaluation to assess:

Kidney disease stage
General health
Blood pressure
Amount of protein in the urine

If your kidney disease is mild (stage 1 or stage 2) and your blood pressure is normal, pregnancy may be an option. The same is true for women with polycystic kidney disease (PKD), a cystic disease of the kidneys that causes cysts to grow in the kidneys.

Many women with PKD have uneventful pregnancies if they’re kidney function and blood pressure are within a healthy range.

Can I develop kidney disease during pregnancy?

You can develop kidney disease during pregnancy. Common causes include:

Infection

During pregnancy, you may develop an asymptomatic urinary tract infection. If left untreated, the infection may affect your kidneys and require hospitalization and intravenous antibiotics.

Pregnancy combined with a severe urinary tract infection may also cause serious health complications such as respiratory failure.

Kidney stones

You’re not at greater risk of developing kidney stones during pregnancy. However, because your ureters dilate during pregnancy, you may have an easier time passing a stone.

Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication that causes high blood pressure and may reduce kidney function.

How is kidney disease during pregnancy managed?

Your pregnancy is high risk if you have a preexisting health condition like kidney disease. With a high-risk pregnancy, you can expect more frequent visits with your OB/GYN and additional tests to monitor kidney function and blood pressure.

The specialists at Houston Kidney Specialists Center may also have you visit the office regularly during your pregnancy to provide additional monitoring and care.

During pregnancy, kidney disease increases your risk of developing complications. Regular health visits may prevent any serious health problems for you or your baby.

To learn more about kidney disease during pregnancy, contact Houston Kidney Specialists Center by phone or book an appointment online today.