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I came to this website praying I'd find some way to alleviate the pain and discomfort of the stent that I have placed about 3 weeks ago. I am so sad that there are so many of us going through this while being pregnant. I was inthe hospital 3 weeks ago for 5 days with kidney stones and because I did not pass them I have the stent implanted. I am in so much constant pain and discomfort I can barely take care of my other 3 children. I was planning on calling my midwife and urologist tomorrow to beg for some sort of relief and to ask about taking my baby early. I though that if I knew I only had 2 or 3 more weeks of this insteand of 6 weeks I may be able to cope better. I am so miserable and making everyone around me miserable as well. I've read most of the postings and I can't seem to fine someone who can say that a particular pain medication made a big difference. Has anyone found anything?

Hi everyone, I wanted to update again on the anemia in my newborn. We went to the pediatric hematologist today and she said that, in addition to the macrodatin/macrobid, that pyridium breaks up red blood cells and may have been responsible for the anemia my daughter has. Having a stent in while being pregnant was very uncomfortable so I understand why a pregnant mother will want to take this medication. However, I wanted to let people know that if you do, make sure to check your baby's hemoglobin before going home from the hosptial. If they hadn't told us our child was anemic (low hemoglobin) we wouldn't have known. However, if you let it go, it could be fatal or cause developmental damage. We have to have our child's blood taken weekly for 4-6 months now and she may have to have a blood transfusion if it goes any lower.

To Mmurphy: I'm sorry but I don't think there is any medication you can take while pregnant that will stop the pain. In the hospital they gave me dilodin (spelling wrong) but you can't take that at home because it is a narcotic (that's what they told me). When you are not pregnant you can have a injection of Toradol (spelling wrong), which is like a strong shot of Motrin. This helped me before. But you can't have that while you are pregnant. They prescribed me vicodin while pregnant but it didn't help me at all. The stent I had stop the severe pain but it was impossible for me to go back to work with the stent in and being 8 months pregnant. It was too uncomfortable.

Hi there -

For those of you who had stones and had to have a stent placed - especially if you had problems with the stent - did you carry to term and did you end up having to have a cesarean? If you weren't able to make it term - how far did you make it? Any input would be so greatly appreciated!

This is my third pregnancy and I have had some sort of difficulty with my kidneys in each of them. The first two I just had too many UTIs to keep track of and quite often they would turn into kidney infections. I had two stays in the hospital with both of my first two pregnancies. After the birth of my second son, I developed a stone. Because of the size, my urologist performed lithotripsy to get rid of it. I have also passed two more on my own since then. This time around, I thought that I had gotten lucky. No UTIs for the first two trimesters, then the trouble started. I have had two hospital stays so far. Through ultrasound they can see that my right kidney is dilated, but they can't see a stone. I know what it feels like to pass a stone and this pain is the same, but it doesn't move like it does when I pass one. Well, my urologist wanted to wait until I was 30 weeks before placing a stent in my ureter. My OB gave me a round of steroid shots to boost the development of my babies lungs because of the small risk of pre-term labor with surgery. When my dr. placed the stent, he didn't see a stone, but my ureter had a loop in it. Who knows! The stent has been in for almost two weeks now and it has been awful. I always feel like I have to pee worse than I ever have in my life and when I do give in and go to the restroom, it burns. Also, if I am on my feet for more than 20 minutes I am in misery. I have an appointment with my urologist tomorrow and I think we may discuss taking the stent out. I don't know, it is very disapponinting because I thought this stent was going to be the answer. Like everyone says, I hate that there are so many of us going through this,but it's nice to know that you are not alone. Good luck to everyone and I will let you know how things go at the drs.

I called my urologist a couple of weeks ago and I had planned to tell him to take the stent out no matter what - I couldn't stand it any more. He told me that if we took the stent out it was highly probable that I would end up needing the tube through my back into my kidney - so what's worse?? Anyway, I was lucky enough to get my midwife to agree to induce me this coming Monday 5/21/07 at 37 weeks. But now I just found out that the urologist has said that I will need to go back to the hospital a week or so after my delivery to have the lithotripsy and the stent removed. I wsa praying I could do that all while I was in the hospital right after I had the baby. Now I have to go in the following week, while nursing a newborn and with 3 other kids at home to have that done. And I have to come home with the stent still in and deal with everything you deal with when you bring a new baby home with this pain and discomfort!! I'm not so sure how much more I can take! Can anyone tell me if labor and delivery hurts more than normal with stent it? I've never used drugs having my other children, but I am considering it this time - I think I've been though enough pain. And had anyone had to go back the next week for removal? If so, how did it all work out? I am just thankful that I was planning on this baby being my last - I know I couldn't deal with this again!!!

To KLM1015 - thank for the info on pyridium and macrobid. I was taking pyridium for about a week about a month ago - but stopped because it didn't help very much. And I'm on macrobid right now for a UTI and I'm supposed to deliver on Monday. I will definatelyy ask about checking my baby's hemoglobin. Thanks again and I hope you and your daughter are doing well.

I am almost 36 weeks pregnant and was blessed with an 8mm stone on my right side. It attempted to pass when I was 25 weeks, but got stuck, so they had to place a stent in my ureter. I was placed under general anistisha for this procedure. I have had the stent in for almost 11 weeks and youre right, stents hurt really bad. I am on pain medication and antibotics. The pain medication, though helpful at times, has proven to be more of an issue. I need it to function, but hate it because I feel like my baby is being exposed to too much. I have suffered through infection after infection and hospitalization after hospitalization. The doctors tell me I am "medically safe", but does that mean comfortable? Hell no!!! I deal with constant urination, peeing blood every time I urinate and burning every time I walk. Sometimes the bladder spasms become so much that I can not walk. Now that my unborn son is almost 6 lbs, every time he moves my bladder goes into intense spasms. Every time I urinate I want to scream because my bladder spasms so bad, I feel like I have to push out a baby through my pee hole and regarding work... I tried really hard to continue to work, but even a desk job was too much for me to handle. I would do the best in the morning, but by the evening I was in so much pain that I came home in tears every night. I also have a hard time even shopping. Walking with bladder spasms all the time is such a hard thing to do.
The insumnia is also hard. I have gone as much as three days without sleep. Finally my doctor gave me ambian so I could sleep.
I was given steriods to get my baby's lungs ready and I am being induced at 36 weeks (in three days).
I am reading this site and I can not believe how many people have experienced the amount of pain like I have. I thought I was alone and some of the doctors from the hospital treated me like I was seeking pain medication. I am so glad to hear that this is not uncommon for there to be this much pain. One doctor actually deprived me of pain meds while I was in the hospital over a three day stay with an infection. He told me that it is normal pains of pregnancy. (this was a man doctor who knew nothing obviously) I was peeing blood. No just a little bit, but like I was on my period. I finally had to show him for him to consider giving me anything.
I am ready for this to be over. I want to welcome my little man into the world and kiss the big 8 mm stone good bye. I think there should be more studies on Kidney stones and stent while pregnant because the hardest think I had to deal with besides the pain was the doctors who didn't know anything about pregnancy and urology.
I am not sure if others have experienced this but this was not easy because either the doctors overreacted or underreacted. And I was always the one the suffered.

I'm 32 weeks preganant. I just had a stent put in on 5/24. Since 6 months pregnant, I've been to the hospital 4 times with pain that they "thought" was either a kidney infection or a stone, although there was never any proof of a stone and the sonograms never showed anything. Finally, after this last time at the hospital, they decided to do an xray after injecting me with a dye (I can' remember the name of the xray). Once they did that, they found that a 6 mm stone was blocking my left kidney! So, that's when they decided to put in the stent, the next day. I'll admit that the stent isn't as bad as the pain I felt from the kidney stone, however, that pain came and went. The pain from the stent stays. I absolutely DREAD using the bathroom. As soon as I finish going, I have to grab onto to something because that's when the pain starts. Fortunately for me (at least for now) the pain lasts about 20 seconds. But, when I stand up, I still feel like my bladder is being punched! Of course my little man is not helping with that. So, on top of this pain, I have back pain from the baby. I cry everyday because I am so uncomfortable. I can't seem to get comfortable, when sleeping. Sitting straight, indian style (I guess that's not pc anymore, I don't know what to call it) is the only way that feels good. So, my questions are...

1. How does it feel to deliver with a stent in. FYI: I plan on getting an epidural.
2. Once I get the stent removed, how long will it take for me to be "normal" again?

I had my first kidney stone three years ago, and it was the worse pain i had ever had. The doctors didnt believe me and told me i had just a UTI, being that I was only 20 at the time, which is young to get a kidney stone. Finally after ending up in the ER with my kidneys failing they found a stone almost the size of a large grape. I had a stint put in place and the lithotripsy done( they hit your body with sound waves while you are in a giant bath tub, and it blows the stone up into sand like particles), and with that the end. Now I am pregnant with my first child and going through and dealing with a bad case of gestational diabetes, just when I got that all to familar pain on my right side. The doctors again didn't believe me when I insisted it was a stone, since this is my first pregnancy i was told the baby could put pressure on the kidney causing pain. I also had no protein or blood in my urine. Let me tell you, if you have the pain and no blood, you can have complete blockage which is what I had both times! After finally getting my way, I was sent to get an ultrasound where they found a stone the size of a golf ball! I was in surgery that night to get a stint put in since my right kidney was on the verge of shutting down. Yes the pain does cause more pain, and being only 29 weeks along i was told i am going to have to deal with it. I am on bed rest and alot of meds also which worries me since alot of that is going to the baby also. But let me tell you ladies a little secret.... try to get your doctor to give you Detrol! it is used to treat over active bladders and my dr gave it to me since the pain is horrible everytime you have to urinate, this helps stop the bladder from spasming so much and actually will make you urinate a bit less. It does have draw back such as it makes you sweat less, so make sure when it is hot to drink plenty of water and try to stay in the shade since your body can not cool itself down as much and you are at risk for heat stroke. but i am telling you, it does help as much as it can if you need to keep the stone for the rest of your pregnancy like i will have to. I know the drugs and their amount are scary that you have to be on just to try to get through the day, but i have to believe it will all be ok and worth it in the end!

To tmdinan - I had my baby last week - induced at 37 weeks so I could have the lithotripsy and stent removed ASAP. The labor wasn't too much worse - but I did have my first epidural ever (this being my 4th child). I didn't have the epidural because the pain was that much worse from the stent - I just think after all I had already been through I didn't have the resolves to go natural again. With an epidural you should be fine. BUT I went today to have the stones crushed and stent removed - and it appears that after only 7 weeks of having the stent it calcified to my body worse than someone who has had it in for over a year. The MD couldn't get it out after trying many different things - all while I was knocked out - Thank God! Now I have to go back in 2 weeks for them to try it again. It seems my hell will never end!! But I do have a beautiful baby girl - whom her 3 brothers adore. I'm just praying for some relief soon. Good luck to you!

To MMurphy: Why did they choose to induce you, because of the stent? I have an OB appointment on Friday and am curious to find out if they'll induce me. I also want to talk to the urologist about that calcium issues that I've been hearing other people talk about. That's scary! How was talking care of the baby while having the stent issues, along with just giving birth?

to tmdinan - I asked to be induced early so I could have the stent taken out sooner. (Best laid plans...) Anyway, I was in constant contact with my midwife and she agreed to induce me at 37 weeks so I could take care of the stones and stent and get rid of all this pain. And to be honest - the stent didnt' hurt as badly once the baby was born. The added pressure was gone so it was bareable. I can still feel it and I am certainly not "comfortable" but it's better. And as for taking care of a newborn with a stent in - it's ok. I'm lucky to have 2 older children to help me with my 21 month old and the new baby. I certainly wish I was totally pain free, but until I am I'll have to deal with it. I really think you'll find it better once you have your baby and hopefully you'll be able to gte your stent out without the drama mine has caused me! Let me know how things work out for you.

To MMurphy: After seeing my OB, he told me that I was doing better than anyone he's ever seen and that he had not planned to induce me. In one way, it's reassuring (at least about the whole stent situation), but I want this pregnancy to be over with, so that's a little disappointing. Oh well, maybe I'll go earlier than 40 weeks. Since this is my first baby and with the luck that I've had so far, I doubt I'll go early. I think the pain that I'm feeling now is more because of the baby. When he moves, I swear he's punching at my bladder and kidney. So, wish me luck and hope that I go early!!! Thanks for your help!

I am so glad I found this thread. I am 29 weeks pregnant and going on my second week of suffering with a 5 mm stone in my right ureter. Fortunately, my OB figured out the problem the first day I went ot the hosptial with terrible pain and it showed up on an ultrasound. I wound up back in the hospital a week later with THE WORST pain of my life and a second ultrasound revealed that the stone had moved in my lower ureter. Despite its movement, the consulting urologist is of the opinion that the stone is two big to pass completely and should not be treated until I deliver. I cannot imagine being in this pain for the next 11 weeks!! I have been given a prescription for Vicodin and Macrodantin, but I try to take the Vicodin sparingly and it doesn't always help. I am in such misery. Having read all the stuff written here, I am definitely not in favor of a stent but I also share the concerns about creating a painkiller dependency in my baby and anemia due to the antibiotic. I feel like there is not good answer and no way out of this miserable situation. I've been taking a Bradley Natural Childbirth Class and I'm beginning to wonder if I wasted my money because I just want this baby out as soon as posssible by any mean necessary. I am so sad that my pregnancy has taken this nasty turn.

Hi Gracefaith. I completely understand where you are coming from. I am only 17 weeks pregnant and I have stones in both of my kidneys. They do not know if they will stay or they will pass, but nothing can be done for them at this time. Like you, they gave be Vicodin, but I hate taking it. I guess I will just have to deal with the pain until the baby comes. I would not recommend a stent. I had one in following another surgery to remove a stone and it was extremely painful. Good luck to you!