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I am trying to get pregnant IVF after having my last baby 25 years ago where I had kidney stones at 6 months. I did not pass it and the Dr. did surgery and put a tube in my kidney.(so I had a pouch) and then the stone was removed after I gave birth. This was before computers even. My daugher was born full term and has had now health problems. And there was over 6 x-ray's done, pain meds and antibiotics. But I don't want to go through that again. So far all I have read is drink lots of water. Can that be all that has been learned after 25 years.

hi there,been reading ol ur testimonies and im quite afraid now to continue my pregnancy..im 1month pregrant..already have 10yrs old son..im so confused and so afraid..help

I spent last week in the hospital due to Kidney stones. I am due in two weeks and last week I had my appendix removed as well as stints put in my kidney to help it drain. The doctors took out my Appendix which did not alleviate the pain, the next assumption was a kidney stone which they were able to see on ultrasound. It was the worst experience of my entire life. I'm now terrified to give birth. After being in so much pain the thought of going back to the hospital to go through labor and delivery does not excite me. But, I was able to have surgery even though I was pregnant. I feel much better now, but I'm very sore from having two surgeries, not to mention wiped out. I am on vicodin for the pain which helps a little. Good luck with whatever you decide.

Yes. I am pregnant currently and have this issue. I have had my last two pregnancies also. i pass stones while im not pregnant but during pregnancy i pass one right after another. Even with procedures to get rid of stones my body just makes them profusely. I have had surgery my last two pregnancies and they want me to have one already this pregnancy. The main issue for pregnant women with this issue is keeping you hydrated and on pain meds. Severe pain can cause miscarriage or preterm labor. I cannot have stents anymore. I have had them 4 times and they calcify so fast i cant even walk or stand for a shower. They want to put in nephrostomy bags but i have heard they are much less painful than stents. I think personally it is worth the pain and the suffering because we really want a large family. But i have been told by three doctors now to not get pregnant. i wasnt supposed to get pregnant this time around but did not follow docs suggestions. I try my hardest to stay well hydrated and stay on the meds. The kidneys produce a horomone if not functioning 100% that raise blood pressure and i have that issue this pregnancy. Right now they are deciding what meds/procedures to do because i have pretty much refused stents and the bags.
I want to stress how important pain management is during pregnancy. two pregnancie ago i did not stay on the pain meds while passing a stone. I try to be stronger than the pain! hah! I went into preterm labor and i was told it was because of the severe pain and that when i feel a stone coming on to start taking pain meds to prevent this.
i think if the pain and being ill for a few months is worth having a beautiful baby go for it! Its very hard and this will be my last pregnancy! Good luck with your decision!

To Kelly, Shannon and Brenda regarding lithotripsy--I'm glad that you had positive experiences with lithotripsy and your stones and symptoms were relieved and your fertility not compromised. However, I think it's best to be informed as to the possible risks, which include teratogenic effects, damage to the ovary as a result of scarring, or tubal obstruction caused by hemorrage. By googling "lithotripsy in women of childbearing age" you will find that most medical journals and reports advise against it.

Vanessa - I can speak from experience about the nephrostomy tube. I am currently 18 weeks with number 2, and had stones and a nephrostomy with my first. It is painful to have it inserted initially, but they can do it without general anesthesia, just IV pain meds. The recovery for me was about 2 weeks of gradually lessening soreness, but after that I returned to my job teaching 5th grade and taught for the remaining 4 months of my pregnancy. I had to have the tube changed once, but it was not nearly as painful and I was up and around later that same day. I had trouble with the tube calcifying as you did with your stents. The trick is to have the hospital give you a supply of sterile pre-filled saline syringes to flush the tube out with once a day. This means that they have to put a special valve or stop cock on the tube that will allow this. This made a HUGE difference for me b/c my tube was always getting blocked beforehand. I'm keeping my fingers crossed this time around, so far no kidney pain and I'm four weeks past when it started last time. Good luck!

ive had kidney stones after kidney stones throughout the last 2 years im 20 weeks and havent had one

I've passed many stones over the past five years, but now I am 35 weeks pregnant and have been having major attacks (passed 4 stones in two weeks). I was hospitalized for four days and have been home trying to deal with the pain since. While in the hospital, I was on morphine, antibiotics, and fluids continuously. Since I've been home, I've been taking Darvocet when needed. OB suggests inducing labor in two weeks and urologist agrees that it is a good idea and to not put in a stint unless the pain becomes unbearable (which I keep swearing daily that it is!). This has been a nightmare! I am feeling better more of the time after passing the last stone, but am still having "shock waves" at times. I feel as though I can't take it again each time it happens. I have worried about the baby and inducing labor early. Has anyone run into this scenario?

Ask your doctor about Celulose Sodium Phosphate medication if you have been diagnosed with Hypercalcemia especially if it is related to hyperabsorbtion of calcium in the diet. It could help to prevent your stones.

Melissa! Thank you so much! I have been looking around for someone that has had the nephrostomy bag! I think it sounds better in ways compared to the stents.

Kelly, I have been induced early because of the stones and their complications. I hope you have a healthy stone free pregnancy!!! You are just a couple of weeks more along than i am. i know we probably arent supposed to share emails here but i'd love to keep in touch. vanessamd@charter.net

I cant remember the posters name that said we should ask about the medicine to slow the growth of stones... I was on that while i was not pregnant but it is VERY VERY bad during pregnancy. And it didnt help me whatsoever anyhow.. my urologist said i am in the 3% of people that they just dont know why i make stones. I have changed my diet etc etc and still pass stones like its my career.

OK Girls! I am getting closer and closer everyday to getting pregnant (IVF) and am so excited but do not want to go through having kidney stones again. I had a nephrostomy bag put in with my daughter. But I want to not have stones in the first place. I talked to a friend today who goes to a midwife (naturopathic) to have her babies and is pregnant with her 6th right now. We both think it is not to much calcium but not enough. Now hear me out. Her midwife puts her on different prenatal vitamins at 5 months with twice the calcium. That is the time during pregnancy where the baby it forming bones. If you don't have enough to give the body it robs it from our bones which travels through the blood stream and ends up in the kidneys where stones are formed. I one time listened to a tape called "Dead Doctors don't Lie".
He talkes about lots of other things but he says our bodies go through what he refers to as "raging osteoporosis" when we get pregnant and the baby can not get enough calcium when it needs it. What to you think? Do any of you feel like you have been taking to much calcium, really? Considering you are making a baby who is building bones in such a short peroid of time. The extra water is a good thing too but I am going to try it. After 25 years the doctors don't seem to have found an answer. But then again why should they, they make money when we get stones not when we don't. I plan to keep in tough hear and let you know my progress. I hope you do too. Good luck and happy, pain free pregnancies.

Its not calcium that forms stones its calcium oaxalate... stuff thats in all sorts of foods and beverages.

Two different urologists have told me that studies are now showing that (in reference to people who are already predisposed to get kidney stones) the more calcium you intake the fewer stones you will have. I'm not sure why. But both doctors did not suggest cutting back on calcium. Also, remember that there are different types of stones...mine are calcium oxalate...the most common. These are formed from foods/beverages containing oxalate...which means eliminate these foods. (Very hard to do, since almost everything good falls into this category!) But, other people's may be formed from something else. It is a good idea to save a stone and have it analyzed to see what's causing them. Then your options may be different, for instance a low citrate level can cause them. Therefore, you can drink more citrus and/or take a citrate supplement. Unfortunately, I haven't found anthing that works for me. I'm just passing on the info I've heard. I' m afraid there's nothing that will help. It is very frustrating. Thanks for the support and response from some of you earlier! I have started dialating/effacing and doctor put me on bedrest until next week when we plan to induce. I have been having flank pain in both sides, but nothing unbearable. I'm sure there's another stone coming. I feel like a walking time bomb. Every twitch I have scares me. I hope that some of this subsides after the baby is born. I'm worn out from the stress of all of this.

I am currently 27 weeks and have had what was "believed" to be kidney stones for the last 17 weeks. The pain lasts anywhere from 30 minutes to the longest episode lasting 3 hours ½ and I’ve had 8 attacks so far. I had a sonogram done of my kidneys and a recent trip to the urologist has him thinking this is not kidney stones for various reasons including there is no blood in the urine, and the stone that was visible is only 2mm. I was told to go to the Women's and Children's Hospital during an attack and have an IVP done. So, once again for the fourth time I run to the hospital only to be placed in a waiting room. While waiting the pain subsided and I was sent home once again. Still not knowing what is going on. At least when it was believed it was kidney stones, I felt there were some answers. But now that I’m being told it’s not stones, I am left in the dark and extremely frustrated. My pain begins in my lower to mid back and radiates to the front. The pain increases and eventually breathing becomes extremely difficult and feels as if I have a corset on that is tightening. I am wondering if anyone has undergone these symptoms and has had difficulty with their doctors. This forum has been such a great tool for me and I’m hoping I can get some feedback. Reading other women’s experience has been reassuring and I thank you all.

claudia you described exactly what i felt when i had my first attack at 23 weeks and the 4 thereafter.... i went to the ER 5 times during my pregnancy and they told me i had kidney stones and i would do the urine straining and nothing but sand would come out....no stones...they pretty much put me in the hospital everytime to monitor my baby and i always left feeling 100% better..until the next attack...which i breathed through and got through it at home instead of going to the doctor...the next one put me back in the hosspital...then another put me in the hospital......the i had my son in late july.....then about 7 weeks later i was out and suffered an attack again and so my husband rushed me to the er again and then finally i told them the exact symptoms you described and they did an ultrasound and discovered it was NOT KIDNEY STONES...IT WAS GAULBLADDER STONES!
they admmitted me immediately and did emergency surgery to take out my gaulbladder and some loose stones in my bial duct which is very painful. it's usually a 2 days surgery but i had a complication and stayed in the hospital for 10 days but i am sure if they catch it sooner in you, your experience may be better......i wish you luck

Thank you Nicole for your quick response. After having another attack on Sunday night that lasted 3 1/2 hours, I went to my Ob-gyn the next morning and demanded further testing. Sure enough, you were right, I do have gallstones. I was immediately sent to the surgeon who is hesitant in doing surgery at this time to remove my gallbladder because of the pregnancy. According to him, there is a very small chance that the surgery could induce labor but it is a risk that I will try to avoid at all costs. In the meantime, I've been attack free now for 3 days. So wish me luck. I am relieved in knowing what is going on with me and I look forward to being pain free in the future. Thanks again for your feedback.