Protein in the urine during pregnancy

introduction

Usually no protein is excreted in the urine. However, it is not uncommon for a small amount of protein in the urine during pregnancy. However, it can always be that there are more serious causes behind it. Therefore, a doctor should be consulted. Protein in the urine during pregnancy can be an indication of a urinary tract infection.

If there are other symptoms such as high blood pressure and fluid build-up in the arms and legs, then there is likely to be a risk of pregnancy poisoning (gestosis). This is an absolute emergency. The patient should be treated immediately in a hospital.

When is the appearance of protein in the urine pathological?

In a healthy, non-pregnant woman with normal kidney function, the urine test usually shows no protein. However, if protein is detected in the urine, one speaks of proteinuria in medical terminology. But even in non-pregnant women, protein in the urine does not always indicate a pathological change. One speaks of benign proteinuria if only a small amount of protein is involved.

In the course of pregnancy, protein excretion in the urine is even more common and here, too, it is usually harmless. They occur after emotional stress, hypothermia, or physical exertion. However, there is a limit of <150mg per day. If more than 150 mg protein is detected, this indicates a finding that is worth monitoring. That means the woman should see a gynecologist. One should create a urine culture to rule out a urinary tract infection. The blood pressure must be measured. It must be checked whether there are other indications of pregnancy poisoning (gestosis). If the suspicion of a gestosis (e.g. preeclampsia) is confirmed, the woman must be admitted to the hospital immediately. If there is no evidence of a serious illness, the urine test should be repeated promptly. A check of the urine findings is then sufficient.

Also read:

• Urine color - what's behind it?
• Urinary tract infection

causes

Even young, non-pregnant people can excrete protein in the urine. Usually, increased physical activity, emotional stress or a slight hypothermia are the cause.
However, minimal protein loss from the kidneys is more common during pregnancy. This is because the blood flow to the kidneys increases significantly, this also leads to an increase in the filtration rate. This means that more protein first gets into the primary urine. Not everything can then be taken up again later as part of the reabsorption. Small protein molecules in particular remain in the urine and are excreted through the bladder. This is physiological during pregnancy, so it is quite normal.

If the protein content is discretely increased, this can be caused by a fever. Inflammation of the urinary tract (cystitis, kidney pelvic inflammation) can also be the cause. It is also possible that gestational diabetes is present. The most serious illness that protein in the urine can hide is pregnancy poisoning. However, it is always accompanied by other symptoms.

Also interesting:

• Cystitis During Pregnancy
• Placental insufficiency

Protein in the urine from drinking too little

Basically, it is especially important for pregnant women to ensure that they drink 2-3 liters per day.
During pregnancy, it is not uncommon for small amounts of protein to be excreted in the urine. If the pregnant woman does not drink enough, the urine is often more concentrated. Therefore the protein concentration also increases. This is ultimately harmless and not worrying. However, you should fix the fluid deficit and test the urine again for protein in the next few days.

Also read: Diet in Pregnancy

I recognize protein in urine by these symptoms

There aren't always symptoms that would indicate that you have protein in your urine. That is why the gynecologist routinely examines the urine of pregnant women on a regular basis.
On the one hand you want to exclude bacterial infections, on the other hand you are also looking for an increased protein content. A hint for the pregnant woman can be that her urine foams more in the morning, this often speaks for a protein excretion. However, this is not a clearly proving criterion.
If the protein excretion in the urine leads to a clearer protein loss, then symptoms may already appear. For example, water retention (edema) can develop in the legs. Then you should definitely consult a doctor.

Additional information here: cause of edema

Water retention and edema as a symptom

The vast majority of women store water in their arms and / or legs during pregnancy. This develops due to the hormonal constellation. Also the fact that the blood volume increases and thus the pressure on the blood vessel walls, which consequently allows fluid to pass into the tissue. Although this is very uncomfortable and annoying for most women. However, such water retention is not dangerous.

In contrast, excessive protein excretion with the urine can lead to a protein deficiency. This then leads to protein deficiency edema, which is much more dangerous. The edema can also indicate pregnancy poisoning, especially if the blood pressure is also increased. The layman cannot distinguish this. Further tests are always necessary.

More information can be found here: Edema in pregnancy

Can protein in the urine be a sign of pregnancy?

Protein in the urine is not a typical sign of pregnancy. However, it occurs more frequently in pregnant women and can therefore be an indication of an existing pregnancy.
However, it can also occur in non-pregnant women after increased physical activity or emotional stress.

If there are other more typical signs of pregnancy, the fact that protein is excreted in the urine supports the fact that you are pregnant. Typical signs of pregnancy are the absence of a menstrual period, morning sickness, cravings, pulling in the breasts and more.

Also read: Signs of pregnancy

diagnosis

During pregnancy, the urine is checked regularly by the gynecologist. Also because you want to rule out that bacteria colonize the urinary tract and cause infections there.
A standard urine test strip can also be used to detect protein in the urine. From a content of more than 8mg / dl the result is positive. However, the urine strip test primarily responds to albumin. If you want to know more precisely whether you are excreting protein in the urine, you should have a 24-hour urine examined. A hint for the pregnant woman can be that her urine foams more in the morning, this often speaks for a protein excretion.

You can also find important information at: Examinations during pregnancy

therapy

In most cases, protein in the urine during pregnancy does not have to be treated at all, since small amounts of protein are not a disease.

However, it should be ruled out that there are other diseases that require treatment. This can be, for example, an infection of the urinary tract, which would also have to be treated with antibiotics during pregnancy. On the other hand, there is pregnancy poisoning (gestosis) such as preeclampsia, which is associated with increased blood pressure, protein excretion in the urine and water retention in the legs. However, this is the exception.

also read:

• Pregnancy Hypertension - Is It Dangerous?
• What medications can you take during pregnancy?

Course of disease

The course of the disease is often very different depending on the cause.
In most cases, the protein excretion in the urine also decreases after the end of pregnancy. In the case of infections, the protein excretion also disappears during pregnancy after treatment of the urinary tract infection. In the rarest of cases, there is a threatening illness such as pregnancy poisoning behind it.

Duration and forecast

Protein in the urine in pregnant women is not uncommon when it comes to small amounts. It does not require treatment and usually disappears on its own during pregnancy or after the end of pregnancy. Diseases that lead to a loss of protein via the kidneys are really rarely behind this, and these should of course be treated accordingly.