Kidney Stones While Pregnant - Kansas City, MO

Hi M.,
I too had a large kidney stone while I was about 6mo preg. It was horrible! It started out with diarrhea and severe cramps then by the time I got to the hospital I was puking. They put me out and lazered it. Dr said it was a 5mm stone trying to go thru a 1mm hole!!! OUCH! I had to get a stint put in and go have it removed a couple of weeks later. (Very painful to have removed!) Wish they would have put me out to take it back out! Why won't they do that for her???

What a nightmare! My father has chronic problems with kidney stones and his doctor often does a procedure called "extra-corporeal shockwave lithotripsy" or "ESWL" (spelling??). They use sound waves to break up the stones into smaller, more passable chunks. It's non-invasive but it may require some type of sedation. I have NO idea whether they can do this during pregnancy but she should ask about it if they have not discussed it already. I can't imagine dealing with that kind of pain and not being able to take any drugs!

I had a CT scan recently, and they said that I am beginning to form kidney stones. Best advice? Drink lots of water. It's the only way to really help them pass. The other thing that may help is this: Cherry juice. I have a genetic kidney problem, and cherry juice helps to cleanse the kidneys. I have to tell you, if she starts drinking it, she will really feel a difference!

The pain from the stones was definitely worse than labor! I was "lucky" and had mine at only 9w pg - and it was small enough to pass. The bummer with being that late in the game is that the thing that really works for the pain (tordol, I believe it's called) can induce early labor in the 2nd-3rd trimesters, so I'm sure they won't let her have that. I really feel for her, because it truly is pain like no other, and I would bet anything they're going to be able to control her pain with is going to be something she can only get in the hospital (IV or shot). :(

Hello. With both of my pregnancies I had kidney stones. During my first pregnancy (twins) I had them when I was about 5 months along and my dr prescribed Demoral that I could take by pill at home. She said that was the only medicine that was safe for the babies and would cause me to go into labor. I only had to take them for a week before I passed the stones. I don't know what they would have done if I couldn't pass them. My second pregnancy I got the kidney stones right after we found out I was pregnant and I had to wait and pass those stones with Tylenol because it was too early to take anything more potent that wouldn't hurt her. All the babies were born fine and with the Twins they went almost to term with no ill side effects from the Demoral. I also had to cut out almost all regular milk during both pregnancies and get my calcium from Tums. Gross yes, but that was the only way to keep the kidney stones away. Good luck to your sis-in-law.

Yes... I had them at 26 weeks too. They gave me all sorts of pain med in the hospital... and then figured out if they gave me a plethora of saline (liquid) I would eventually pee them out.
Mine were not that big.

I am sorry she is going through this. Please tell her that kidney stones are worse than labor... tell her at least with labor pain - you get a break of no pain inbetween contractions.

Hey M.,

I actually passed kidney stones through my whole pregnancy with my son who is now 2years old. I wish I had wonderful news for you, but the truth is the only way to deal with the pain is pain meds. They actually ended up putting a stint in my kidney, but it made me really miserable I was going to the bathroom like 20 times a hour. My suggestion is to drink tell her to drink lots of water and cranberry juice and to take the medicine they give her for pain if she needs it. I know it's scary, but they wouldn't give it to her if it were not safe. I was actually in and out of the hospital with mine from the 2nd trimester on and it was not fun. I'm pregnant with twins now and have seven stones left, but have been drinking water and cranberry juice like crazy and only had a couple of mild problems that I did not end up in the hospital with. Good luck and let me know how it goes.

T. Cogan
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So sorry your sister-in-law is going through this, but so nice of you to try and find and answer.
I have had kidney stones and if I have that feeling in my kidney usually in my left side, I begin drinking real lemon juice (I get the kind in the bottle) I mix it in water really strong with a package of sweetner, then I pray for God to dissolve them, crush them to powder. I do this until I feel relief. My herb bood says Lemon Juice can dissolve stones. you can also go online and type in natural cures for kidney stones and it will bring up things to try. I will also pray that God will dissolve these stones and crush them to powder, in Jesus Name, amen

Kristy G I am going to give that Cherry Juice a try.

I had kidney stones at about 28 weeks. No fun. Mine were very small and I was in the hospital for only 4 days. The stones took 3 weeks to pass since there were several very small ones. If she will be in the hospital until delivery they should be taking very good care of her there and monitoring the baby at all times. My doctor said that not everyones bodies digest calcium in the pill form and to stop taking TUMS and any other calcium supplement. I was also told to drink lots of water.(something crazy like 6-8 of those huge hospital cups u get when you are there!) I doubt there is much advice out there more helpful than the doctors and nurses but it does comfort to know others stories. Best of luck and if it helps, labor is a piece of cake compared to those stones!

I personally did not experience this, but my friend did and was put in the hospital on heavy pain med's by her doctor. i believe she passed them, not sure on their size. Good Luck and i am sure her doctor is doing what is best.
D. S.