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Kidney hydronephrosis at 27 weeks

nikitenikite member
in 3rd Trimester
Hi all, I’ve never had kidney issues before. Last week I had to go to ER with severe pain in my back on the left side. The ultrasound showed mild hydronephrosis of the left kidney. Blood results and urine test were normal (but some blood detected in the urine sample). Doctors said there’s nothing they can do and just gave me pain meds. Offered opioids, but I took some Tylenol instead. The next few days following the ER visit I felt so miserable, rolling on the floor with excruciating pain in my back. The pain would come and go in waves but at times was so severe I couldn’t tolerate it and had to take Tylenol (1,500mg/day). I’m trying to stay away from all meds while pregnant because even Tylenol has been linked to autism and ADHD in children. Followed up with my OBGYN who said there’s nothing that can be done besides pain management. Went to get another ultrasound in a few days, and this time it showed moderate hydronephrosis, so it progressed from mild to moderate. Spoke with a urology specialist, and they said if the kidney swelling and/or pain gets worse, they can consider putting in a nephrostomy tube/catheter to drain the kidney. I’m so scared and devastated at this point! My right side started to get painful too :(

Has anyone gone through a similar experience?? Can hydronephrosis resolve on its own as the pregnancy progresses? Does the catheter help with the pain?? I have 3 more months to go and would hate to have a catheter put in and carry it until due date.
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Re: Kidney hydronephrosis at 27 weeks

  • Knottie1452431704Knottie1452431704 member
    Hi! I was admitted to the hospital for a blockage (presumed stone) in my ureter blocking my bladder and causing extreme pain at 29 weeks. I got a ureteral stent put in and have been on a 4 week regime to get the stent replaced. Once I deliver baby I can get the blockage and stent removed. As soon as I got the stent put in and the urine was able to pass through the pain went away and I haven’t had to take any pain meds with the stent replacement surgeries either.
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  • nikitenikite member
    Glad you’re feeling better with the stent. Was it an invasive/painful surgery? Did you need to get anesthesia?

    I don’t have any blockages but was in severe pain for a few days, now it’s much better and I’m hoping the pain doesn’t come back.
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  • Knottie1452431704Knottie1452431704 member
    Yes anesthesia - to implant the stent they did a spinal plus a little propofol. The subsequent replacement they just did twilight propofol (personally preferred). And no the surgery isn’t painful at all and fairly non-invasive as in you don’t have stitches - they go up your urethra/bladder.
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  • WishilivedinfloridaWishilivedinflorida member
    edited July 2022
    OP I would ask if you qualify for a ureteral stent instead of a nephrostomy. A nephrostomy is a tube directly in the kidney and is typically not comfortable to have in place. You have to drain urine into a bag. If it’s your only option, it’s your only option. But, it shouldn’t be first line treatment. Both procedures require small doses of radiation for X-ray imaging and typically anesthesia or at minimum moderate sedation. 

    To answer your question, it doesn’t sound like it will improve on its own. It’s already getting worse and baby will only get better and compress the ureter more with time. 

    ETA you do have a blockage. That's how hydronephrosis occurs. A blockage causes urine not to drain properly and the kidney to swell
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  • ashnicellashnicell member
    I had similar pain and was in the ER twice around 17 weeks and again at 18 weeks. It took until 23 weeks for me to get them to do a CT scan after being in pain for 6 straight weeks. I had an 8mm kidney stone fully blocking my ureter. The urologist initially was unwilling to remove the stone but placed a stent. Some people apparently tolerate the stent well enough. I did not. After 2 1/2 more weeks and my OB advocating for me, the urologist finally agreed to a ureteroscopy with lithotripsy to break up the stone and remove it. The relief after the 2nd procedure was instant. That was now about 2 weeks ago and I feel completely better. I was under general anesthesia for both the stent placement and the lithotripsy. 

    I'd definitely ask for a stent over the nephrostomy, but personally I'm glad I fought for full resolution.
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  • mamacavmamacav Just Joined
    Sorry to hear that! I’m dealing with hydronephrosis as well! I’m 30 weeks it’s stayed “mild” in the doctors eyes but can be very painful for me. I’ve been seeing my OB and urologist about and hoping to just make it to due date without needed the catheter in my kidney. Weird I didn’t have this with my first baby. But it’s miserable I totally hear you!
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