Kidney stones during pregnancy: treatment

A kidney stone can cause sharp flank or abdominal pain, nausea, painful urination, or difficulty passing urine. Pregnancy can make abdominal and urinary symptoms harder to interpret, so assessment should involve the maternity team or a clinician familiar with pregnancy. The aim is to confirm the likely cause, check kidney function and urine, and identify infection or obstruction. A symptom does not establish that a stone is present, and a stone does not automatically mean that an operation is needed.

Contact your obstetric or medical team before taking painkillers or medicines for nausea; some medicines are unsuitable at particular stages of pregnancy. Clinicians may use urine and blood tests and pregnancy-appropriate imaging. An abdominal ultrasound is commonly considered because it does not use ionising radiation, although the images may not answer every question. If symptoms are manageable and there is no infection or significant blockage, observation with follow-up may be suitable. Persistent obstruction, infection, uncontrolled pain, or worsening kidney function may require hospital treatment and a procedure planned by the relevant specialists. Keep drinking according to advice rather than forcing fluids, especially if vomiting or urine flow is reduced.

Seek urgent care for fever, chills, severe or persistent pain, repeated vomiting, faintness, or feeling suddenly very unwell. Contact the maternity or emergency team promptly if you cannot pass urine, develop difficulty passing urine, or notice concerning urinary changes. Infection behind a blockage can threaten your health and needs rapid treatment. Tell the team how far along the pregnancy is, what medicines you have taken, and whether you have kidney disease or a single functioning kidney.

Ask which symptoms need immediate review, which pain and nausea medicines are suitable for your stage of pregnancy, and what imaging is planned. Clarify how the baby will be monitored, how long observation can continue, what would trigger a procedure, and who to contact outside clinic hours.