Pregnancy is frequently considered a beautiful, transformative experience — but it doesn’t come without its share of challenges. One surprising and agonizing obstacle some women experience during pregnancy is kidney stones. They are rare, but can be quite distressing, and the diagnosis should be handled in a thoughtful manner.
In today’s post, we’ll cover the reasons behind kidney stones in pregnancy, the ways they are diagnosed, what the safe options for treatment are, and most importantly, what you should do if you’re a pregnant woman with symptoms of kidney stones.
Kidney Stones During Pregnancy
Kidney stones are hard mineral deposits that form in the kidneys when substances such as calcium, oxalate and uric acid are concentrated in the urine and crystallize. Although relatively rare during pregnancy (only 1 in 1500–3000 pregnant women will get one), kidney stones can be quite painful and puts you at risk for complications such as urinary tract infections, preterm labor, or premature rupture of membranes, O’Connor says.
Why Are Pregnant Women More Susceptible To Stones?
- Hormones: Progesterone relaxes the ureters, which also decelerates the flow of urine and serves as a risk factor for the formation of crystals.
- Dehydration: Some women drink less water in the beginning of pregnancy if they are nauseated or vomiting.
- Calcium formation: This is very important as an increased calcium excretion can also affect stone formation.
The composition of urine might also be affected by dietary modifications during pregnancy.
Symptoms of kidney stones in pregnancy
Symptoms of kidney stones may resemble other problems in pregnancy, which can frustrate diagnosis. Key signs include:
Sudden pain in lower back or flank that is shooting to the groin
Painful urination
Blood in urine (hematuria)
Frequent urination or urgency
Nausea or vomiting
Fever or chills (infection may be present)
Given that back pain and urinary symptoms are a classic part of pregnancy (never ignore serious or persistent discomfort), it’s even more important to never ignore severe or persistent aches — it could be more than just a pregnancy ache.
Diagnosis of Kidney Stones in Pregnant Women
Diagnosis has to be made very carefully in order not to damage the unborn child. Standard imaging studies like CT scans — which are often used to identify kidney stones but are generally avoided in pregnancy because of the radiation — rarely make the diagnosis in a pregnant woman with kidney stones.
Safe and preferred methods of diagnosis are as follows:-
- Ultrasound: First-line, radiation-free imaging will show the stones and hydronephrosis (swelling of the kidneys).
- MRI (non contrast): Reserved if the diagnosis is not clear from the ultrasound.
- Urinalysis: Looks for blood, crystals, infection.
- Blood tests: Test blood for kidney function and infection markers.
A thorough assessment by an urologist and an obstetrician is mandatory to prevent maternal and fetal risks.
Pregnancy is frequently considered a beautiful, transformative experience — but it doesn’t come without its share of challenges. One surprising and agonizing obstacle some women experience during pregnancy is kidney stones. They are rare, but can be quite distressing, and the diagnosis should be handled in a thoughtful manner.
In today’s post, we’ll cover the reasons behind kidney stones in pregnancy, the ways they are diagnosed, what the safe options for treatment are, and most importantly, what you should do if you’re a pregnant woman with symptoms of kidney stones.
Is It Safe to Remove Stones After Pregnancy?
In many mild cases, yes. If the stone is not problematic, and symptoms are consult-responsive, the urologist might decide to watch and wait until after the baby birth for definitive planning.
But if a stone is:
- Infectious
- Severe hydronephrosis
- Uncontrolled pain
- Risk of preterm labor
It is safe to consult with a urologist for such conditions.
Special Things to Consider for Mom & Baby
Maternal well-being alongside fetal safety should be a cornerstone of every treatment plan. It involves very close coordination between:
- Urologist
- Obstetrician
- Anesthesiologist (if we need to do surgery)
High risk pregnancies may require treatment at a tertiary centre with NICU support in the event that early delivery becomes necessary.
Pregnancy and Prevention of Kidney Stones
You can’t always avoid kidney stones — especially if you have a history of them — but these strategies may lower your risk:
- Drink eight to 10 glasses of water per day
- Restrict salt and high-oxalate foods (spinach, nuts, chocolate)
- Don’t consume excessive calcium supplements (only use what’s recommended)
- Keep moving and eating right during pregnancy
- Treat any UTIs promptly
Conclusion: You do not have to Suffer in Silence
Kidney stones during pregnancy are terrifying — justifiably not only because a woman in pain will think the worst, but because they may also worry a woman about her baby’s safety. A little preplanning helps you get all the medical care you need to treat your kidney stones without harming baby.
For expert opinion and empathetic treatment, Dr. Deepanshu Gupta is a leading kidney stone consultant in Gurgaon and Delhi NCR. Having treated urogenital disorders during pregnancy for years, Dr. Gupta makes your well-being and that of your baby a priority by providing you with 100% safe and accurate stone removal solutions.
From pain control, to diagnosis, and minimally invasive interventions such as ureteroscopy, you can trust Dr. Deepanshu Gupta.
Schedule a consultation today so you can take control of your health — because you and your baby deserve the best care there is.