Why are new mums susceptible for urinary tract infection?

During pregnancy the uterus squashes the ureters (slender 30–35 cm tubes from kidneys to bladder), causing distensions (swelling) of the upper urinary tract and impairing draining. This predisposes the kidneys to infection. Add to the equation the physical strain of birthing; a distended (stretched) bladder and urethral sphincters (rings of muscle that keep the urethra closed); a bruised urethral tube; perhaps use of a urethral catheter to the bladder during delivery; general tiredness and less resistant immune defence system, and — hey presto — you could be lining yourself up for a urinary tract, urethra or bladder infection, such as urethritis or cystitis. Don’t be slack on treating cystitis (bladder infection): if left untreated it can lead to the far more serious pyelitis or pyelonephritis (inflamed kidney bacterial infection).