Kidney Stones During Pregnancy: Symptoms & Safe Treatment

Kidney Stones During Pregnancy: Symptoms & Safe Treatment:

Medically Written & Reviewed By

Dr. Humaira Latif

MBBS.

Obstetrician & Gynaecologist

14+ years of clinical experience | Private Practice, Peshawar, Pakistan.

Published on:27 Sep 2025.

Last Updated: July 2026.

Experiencing an unexpected dolorous sensation on the side while still being pregnant can often give rise to troubling thoughts. You might start to think about whether something has gone wrong with the fetus or that you may be about to give birth before term.

As a practitioner, I come across too many cases that can be attributed to kidney stones, as nephrolithiasis is one of the most common causes of severe abdominal and flank pain during pregnancy. Although the pain can be acute, timely diagnosis and proper treatment help women recover completely.

Illustration of the female urinary tract during pregnancy showing both kidneys, ureters, and bladder. The diagram highlights the anatomy involved in kidney stones during pregnancy and helps explain how urinary tract obstruction can cause pain, infection, and other pregnancy-related complications.

Introduction:

Nephrolithiasis is among the common non-obstetric conditions resulting in severe pain in the abdomen and flank during pregnancy. While the pain is often unbearable, most women are able to fully recover without long-term damage if the condition is diagnosed early and treated properly.

Table of Content.

Definition of Nephrolithiasis in Pregnancy
Pregnancy Increases Risk of Kidney Stones
Signs to Observe
Kidney Stones, Normal Pregnancy Pains, and UTI
Diagnosis during Pregnancy
Available Treatments
When to Visit an ER
How to Avoid This Condition
Conclusion
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Articles
References
Free PDF Downloadable Link.

1. Definition of Nephrolithiasis in Pregnant Patients:

Nephrolithiasis means kidney stone formation.

While pregnancy itself does not lead to an increase in the incidence of nephrolithiasis, both hormonal and structural changes resulting from pregnancy may lead to more frequent episodes of precipitants as well as exacerbation of pre-existing symptoms.

The incidence of kidney stones is estimated to occur in 1 in 200 to 1 in 1500 pregnancies, predominantly in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy.

2. Reasons for Increased Risk of Nephrolithiasis:

There are various causes of occurrence of nephrolithiasis in pregnancy which are linked to the changes occurring during pregnancy.

1.Physiological Hydronephrosis:

Pregnancy hormones allow ureters to relax while the uterus occupies more space in the abdominal cavity reducing urine flow and allowing minerals to precipitate and form stones.

2. Increased Urinary Calcium:

Due to the egression of calcium toward the fetus, more calcium gets filtered through the kidneys.

3. Alterations in Urinary Citrate:

The amount of urinary citrate changes during pregnancy thus making it less protective against kidney stone.

4. Dehydration:

Morning sickness, vomiting, and insufficient fluid intake lead to diluted urine which promotes precipitation of solids.

5. Past History of Kidney Stones:

Women who had nephrolithiasis are more likely to get new episodes of nephrolithiasis.

3. Signs to be Aware Of:

Kidney stones can sometimes be confused for typical pregnancy woes. The normal signs to look out for are:

Sharp and intense pain on one side of the back or sides (flank area)
Pain which runs down to the groin
Type of pain which comes in waves and ebbs away
Presence of blood in the urine
Burning sensation felt when urinating
Desire to urinate frequently
Following a bout of nausea or vomiting
Having fever or chills which can point towards an infection.

Medical infographic comparing kidney stone risk and protective factors in pregnancy. Shows icons and text for dehydration, high sodium diet, and previous kidney stones versus protective habits like high fluid intake, balanced calcium diet, and moderate protein intake. Designed in clean orange‑green columns for women’s health education.

4. Kidney Stone vs. Normal Pregnancy Pain vs. UTI:

Educational medical infographic comparing kidney stone, normal pregnancy pain, and urinary tract infection symptoms. Features clear bold headings, pastel color columns, and readable text for healthcare education and pregnancy awareness.

5. An Accurate Diagnosis During Pregnancy:

The main concern is to keep both mother and child safe.

Doctors generally make a diagnosis of kidney stones as follows:

1. Ultrasound

The primary and safest way of imaging

No radiation involved

Safe for all stages of pregnancy

Helps in detecting any blockage as well as stones

2. MRI (Without Contrast)

It is used only in cases when ultrasound is not conclusive

MRI gives additional information without the risk of radiation exposure

3. Low-Dose CT Scan

It is performed only in exceptional situations when the diagnosis is still not clear after both ultrasound and MRI.

4. Urine Tests

There are the following urine tests:

Urinalysis
Urine culture
Microscopy

They make it possible to detect:

Blood
Infection
Crystals

6. Management & Treatment Options:

Treatment depends on:

Size of the stone
Severity of pain
Infection presence
Gestational age

Conservative management:

Most pregnant women will respond positively to treatment without surgery. Treatment will involve:

Increased fluid intake
Medications that are safe in pregnancy for relieving pain
Constant monitoring of the mother and fetus
Watch for spontaneous passage of the stone
Most small stones will pass on their own, especially if they are under 5 mm in size.

When surgical procedures are required:

Treatment may be necessary in cases of:

Continued obstruction

Infection
Severe pain
Kidney injury

Surgical options include:

Ureteral stentor:

This is a temporary tube that goes into the ureter.

Percutaneous nephrotomy:

This involves putting in a drainage tube into the kidney.

Ureteroscopy:

This is a process where an endoscope is passed to remove the stone.

Stone surgery is often delayed until after giving birth unless there is an emergency.

7.When to Get Emergency Help:

Seek rapid medical assistance if you are faced with the situation mentioned below;

Severe and persistent flank discomfort
Chills or fever
Blood seen in urine.

8.Common Questions:

Q1. Can kidney stones affect pregnant women?

Not directly but if not treated then blockages, strong pain or infections may lead to the occurrence of premature labor. Timely medical treatment greatly minimizes these hazards.

Q2. Is ultrasound safe in pregnancy?

Yes, ultrasound is the primary imaging test because it doesn’t involve radiation and is considered safe through the entire pregnancy.

CT scans are usually discarded unless absolutely necessary.

Q3. What is the difference between kidney stones pain and normal pregnancy pain?

Kidney stones pain is typically:
This pain is one-sided,
it’s very severe,
the pain comes in waves,
and it radiates to the groin.
Moreover, it can be associated with blood in the urine or burning sensation when urinating.
Normal pregnancy pain, in comparison, is less severe, located lower in the abdomen and is often related to movements.
Continuous vomiting
Lower urine output
Signs of preterm labor
Leakage of the amniotic fluid

9. Preventive Measures as Well as Nutrition Suggestions

Risk of occurrence can be lower by:

Drinking enough water every day
Having the usual calcium intake
Keeping salt intake within reasonable limits
Keeping animal protein intake at lower levels
Avoiding excessive intake of oxalate-rich foods if previously recommended
Staying fit according to your doctor’s advice

After Delivery:

What Can Be Expected

In case a stent was placed in a ureter at the time of pregnancy, it usually gets extracted after childbirth.

In case the patient still has stones, effective treatments can be performed.
Additionally, a complete metabolic examination may be performed after delivery to determine reasons for the formation of stones and their prevention in the future.
Make an Appointment with Your Healthcare Practitioner

Suffering from flank pain or any unusual urinary signs during pregnancy?

Prompt evaluation will allow to avoid issues for the mother and the baby. Make an appointment for accurate diagnosis and treatment.

10.Conclusion:

Experiencing kidney stones during pregnancy can be scary as its symptoms are similar to labor pain or urinary tract infection. Thankfully, most women manage to recover completely with early diagnosis and correct treatment that is safe for pregnancy. However, if you experience severe pain on one side of your abdomen, blood in your urine, fever, or continuous vomiting, you need to see the doctor right away instead of attempting to treat the symptoms yourself. Early diagnosis with an ultrasound, proper hydration, pain relief, and constant observation will help keep both the mother and the child healthy.

11. Related Articles (Internal Links):

1. Understanding-normal-menstrual-cycle-womens-health-guide.

2.Primary infertility causes diagnosis.

3. Fibroid Uterus Causes Symptoms.Diagnosis and Management.

4. From Infertility To Pregnancy Real Case

5.Physiology Of Female Reproductive Tract

6. understanding Normal Menstrual Cycle Womens Health Guide.

12. References:

1.European Association of Urology (EAU)

Topic:

EAU Guidelines on Urolithiasis (Imaging and Management in Pregnancy).

Published/Updated: 2025 Update