Kidney Stones in Pregnancy: Delivery Outcomes

National inpatient data show higher complication rates and longer hospital stays among pregnant patients with kidney stones.

By
Kathryn Wighton
March 11, 2026
4 min

MDSpire News

Overview

Pregnant patients with renal calculi experience significantly higher rates of labor and delivery complications and longer hospital stays compared to those without. A national analysis of over 698,000 delivery records highlights the increased risks associated with renal calculi during pregnancy.

Background

Renal calculi are a common nonobstetric cause of hospitalization in pregnant patients, potentially leading to serious complications. Physiological changes during pregnancy can exacerbate urinary stasis, increasing the risk of stone formation and associated adverse outcomes. Understanding these risks is crucial for managing pregnant patients effectively.

Data Highlights

Outcome	Patients with Renal Calculi	Patients without Renal Calculi
Labor and Delivery Complications	85%	29%
Average Hospital Stay (days)	5.1	2.6

Key Findings

85% of patients with renal calculi experienced labor and delivery complications.
Average hospital stay for patients with renal calculi was 5.1 days compared to 2.6 days for those without.
Patients with Medicare had 1.58 times the risk of complications compared to those with other insurance types.
Native American patients had a 1.30 times higher risk of complications compared to White patients.
Patients from lower median household income ZIP codes had a higher risk of complications.

Clinical Implications

Healthcare providers should be vigilant in monitoring pregnant patients with renal calculi for potential complications during labor and delivery. Early identification and management of risks associated with renal calculi can improve maternal and neonatal outcomes.

Conclusion

The findings underscore the significant impact of renal calculi on pregnancy outcomes, highlighting the need for tailored management strategies in this population.