What does it mean when they find protein in your urine when pregnant?

Question

I am 24 weeks and 3 days pregnant and in the last 3 check ups they have found protein in my urine twice what does this mean?

Answer 1

Protien in your urine means your kidneys and liver are not functioning fully. Sometimes it just happens at times throughout a pregnancy, but more often than not it's a symptom of pre-eclampsia and can be life threatening. They should monitor your urine and your blood pressure closely after finding that you already have protien spilling into your urine. The best way to see how bad things have gotten is to actually to a 24hr collection of all your urine(it's gross especially storing it in the fridge) but it gives a better overall pic of the health of your kidneys. If you have severe headaches that don't go away with rest and tylenol or you feel pain in your right side under your ribcage(near your liver area), or see black spots in your field of vision you should go to the emergency room ASAP as these are signs that the condition is worsening. If you have any more questions ask your doctor and don't let them just had you a brochure about pre eclampsia or PIH and walk you out. Get your answers. It's very important to you and your baby's health.

Answer 2

The girl found protein in her urine NOT glucose which can be indeed a sign of gestational diabtetes.

Its very very common for protein to be found , and can be a sign of a Urinary Tract Infection, but not always, the last 5 weeks I have had protein, and nothing abnormal detected.
i have also suffered with pre eclmapsia twice with my two previous born children, but if your BP is reading ok, it is extremely unlikely you have Pre Eclampsia, as just protein in urine is not enough to go on.

Always wipe from front to back to avoid cross contamination, and also ask your midwife/OB what percentage protein u have in your urine, they may offer you anti biotics just in case, as UTI`s can be dangerous in pregnancy., if its just mild protein they wont do anything but keep an eye on it.
Hope this helps hunni.
x

Answer 3

It is hard to judge from one random urine sample what 1 + protein means. A 24 hour urine would be more accurate. The doctor would look at the whole picture though..blood pressure, hyperactive reflexes, edema, headches, visual disturbances, epigastric pain etc. If everything else is ok he may just repeat it at each visit. Twenty weeks is really early for preeclampsia.

Answer 4

If your blood pressure is high this may be a sign of toxemia. But dont freak out try cutting your sodium intake. That may help read labels all canned food is loaded with sodium and that means no pickles or chips either. I had really high blood pressure and a little protien in my urine and this change in diet made the difference for me!! Dont worry your Dr. will keep a good eye on you and the baby and make sure you are both safe and healthy. GOOD LUCK!!!

Answer 5

It is very important for you to ask your doctor what the levels are (trace amounts of protein are normal) and what these levels could indicate. Protein in the urine in pregnancy could be a sign of preeclampsia, which is very serious. Make sure you know your blood pressure. If it is high, and you have protein in your urine, you may have preeclampsia. Talk to you doctor as soon as possible.

Answer 6

Could be a sign of a Urinary Tract Infection. Make sure you find out more because a UTI could cause pre-term labor. I'm 35 weeks pregnant and have been in pre-term labor because of an untreated UTI. Good Luck!

Answer 7

Do you go early in the morning? I had that with my first on several morning appointments. It could mean you need to eat something or that you need to drink more water.

Answer 8

You need to ask your doctor, but it sounds like you may be getting a kidney infection. Drink LOTS of water, not cranberry juice (If you are developing gestational diabetes juice is BAD, BAD, BAD for you).

Answer 9

My doc told me I wasn't drinking enough water to help my kidneys flush out more stuff

Answer 10

that happened to me too, and they just run more test on me to check for diabetes and infections but everything was fine. so, don't worry that's pretty common.