Traces of protein in the urine during pregnancy: causes, treatment

In order to be sure of the health of the future baby, a woman is forced to regularly take various tests throughout pregnancy. One of those is the urine test for the protein content in it. Depending on the result, doctors can draw a conclusion about the state of health of mother and child. Traces of protein in the urine during pregnancy - this is cause for concern, as they can indicate serious diseases.

Norm of protein in the urine

Even in absolutely healthy people, the percentage of protein appears from time to time in urine. A large portion of protein food is already an excuse for the remnants of a substance not digested by the body to go through the kidneys into the bladder. Therefore, if a pregnant woman at any gestation period shows an analysis of a certain level of protein, then this is not a reason for panic. As a rule, in such cases, the doctor appoints a repeated collection of urine and only after an additional study makes appropriate results. Quite often the second analysis shows completely different results.

Also it is worth considering that the body of a woman expecting a baby works for two, so the kidneys have to have an increased load. For this reason, traces of protein in the urine during pregnancy, reaching a volume of 0.033 g / l, are considered the norm. For an average person this figure is too high.

Medical classification

The protein content of urine in medical practice is called proteinuria. Depending on the amount of the above substance in the urine, four stages of this state are distinguished:

• Microalbuminuria - at a protein level in a liquid corresponding to 3-300 mg per day.
• Proteinuria of mild degree - when the volume of the substance is from 300 mg to 1 g.
• Moderate proteinuria - if 1 liter of urine is 1-3 g protein.
• The expressed degree of proteinuria is the protein content of 3 g or more.

Most often in the first two cases there is no cause for concern. The insignificant appearance of protein tracks does not affect the course of pregnancy at all and passes without a trace. However, it is still recommended to take one or more repeated tests to make sure that the danger is completely absent.

Symptoms

A future mother may not feel any signs, even if she has traces of protein in her urine. At pregnancy the norm of substance in urine makes up to 300 mg, therefore the easy form of proteinuria will not deliver to the woman any dyscomfort. However, if the protein appears as a signal about a disease, and its level exceeds the allowable, the future mother may have such symptoms as:

• Constant feeling of fatigue.
• Aching in the bones.
• Dizziness.
• Changing the shade of morning urine (the liquid can become greenish or slightly whitish).
• Disorders of digestion, manifested by loss of appetite, as well as nausea and vomiting.

Of course, all of the above symptoms can be observed in a pregnant woman and without proteinuria, as bearing a child is a complex process for the body. However, if the suspicious results of the tests were added to these signs, it is worthwhile to undergo an additional examination in order to calculate the root of the problem.

Protein in urine: causes

The body of a woman preparing to become a mother is very unstable, which is why it is not uncommon for doctors to detect traces of protein in the urine during pregnancy. The reasons for such changes often lie in external factors, which may include:

• Psychological stress or increased emotional stress.
• Excessive consumption of food rich in protein.
• Acceptance of certain medicines.
• Increased physical activity.

Particular attention should be paid to the last point. Given that women at any time of pregnancy are strictly prohibited physical activity, this factor can affect not only the protein content in urine, but also the development of the fetus.

What diseases can proteinuria indicate

If after a series of tests it was clearly established that the level of protein in the urine is significantly increased, a general examination is appointed to identify possible diseases. So, the protein in urine often indicates such ailments:

• Dysfunction of the kidneys (pyelonephritis, glomerulonephritis).
• Inflammation of the urinary tract (cystitis, urethritis, etc.).
• Nephropathy.
• Diabetes.
• Hypertension.

Very often traces of protein in the urine during pregnancy 36 weeks or more indicate the development of nephropathy. This disease is characterized by the appearance of severe edema in the extremities and is usually diagnosed in women at the latest gestation periods. An increased blood pressure may accompany this disease.

As for the inflammatory processes in the kidneys characterized by pyelonephritis and glomerulonephritis, they are primarily caused by increased pressure of the enlarged uterus on internal organs, including the urinary system.

Diagnostics

To determine the most accurate picture of the health status of a pregnant patient, doctors need to take the urine collected during the day for analysis. However, if a woman is not on inpatient treatment, it may be quite inconvenient to hold such an event. For this reason, traces of protein in the urine during pregnancy are usually detected by electrophoresis. To determine the results of the analysis, it is sufficient to hand over a single portion of the excreta.

If the obtained indicators are not in accordance with the norm, the doctor prescribes a repeated urine test. Sometimes the diagnosis includes complex methods, that is, in combination with urine samples for analysis, blood is surrendered. According to the final indicators of both studies, the specialist draws a general conclusion.

How to collect urine for analysis

The first rule, which should be remembered by women in this case: urine should be collected only morning. And it is desirable that it is urine, collected immediately after awakening. Also, special attention should be paid to the hygiene of the external genitalia. Before collecting the fluid, you need to thoroughly wash it to remove vaginal discharge residues. To do this, it is not recommended to use antiseptic solutions or decoctions of herbs, because these substances can affect the accuracy of the test results.

The container for collecting liquid must be dry and sterile. This is very important for research on traces of protein in the urine during pregnancy. Bacteria in the urine may be due to poorly washed containers, which means that the result will not be reliable, and the analysis will have to be retaken.

With regard to nutrition, before the study should not lean on food, coloring urine. Such products include carrots and beets. In addition, it is better to abandon diuretics and drugs of this kind.

Detection of protein in the urine at home

Without visiting the doctor's office, any pregnant woman can independently make a test for proteinuria. To begin with, one should observe the shade and the external state of the liquid. If the urine becomes turbid, a saturated or slightly greenish color appears, then it can be assumed that the protein is present in it. Also, with an increased protein content in the fluid, additional inclusions are often present: salts, leukocytes and epithelial cells. This becomes noticeable if you leave the urine placed in a transparent vessel for a while at rest. After a few hours, the liquid will be covered with foam, and a pronounced sediment will appear on its bottom.

With the help of conventional boiling, you can also detect traces of protein in the urine during pregnancy. What does it mean? If you heat the urine with an increased concentration of protein to the boiling point, then on its surface will appear flocculating clots.

What to do if a protein is found in the urine

If the kidneys function normally, and the analysis still shows a positive result for proteinuria, then most likely you just need to adjust your lifestyle. First, try to limit the daily intake of fluid. This will reduce the amount of urine. Secondly, many doctors recommend switching to the correct diet. Such a diet should not be fried or spicy dishes, used in moderate amounts. It is advisable to exclude salt from your diet.

Treatment of proteinuria

If the results of the tests are not satisfactory, a therapy is prescribed, first of all, not to remove the traces of protein in the urine during pregnancy, but to overcome the cause of this phenomenon. Depending on the initial diagnosis, treatment can be based on the following methods:

• Admission of anti-inflammatory drugs.
• Use of antibiotics.
• Use of drugs to improve immunity.
• Purpose of funds that lower blood pressure.
• Rest in resort areas.
• Correction of the regime of the day and diet.

Eliminating the root of the problem will help to cope with the main task - to reduce or completely remove traces of protein in the urine during pregnancy. Treatment should be timely, then it guarantees a speedy recovery.

Therapy with folk remedies

For help, you can apply not only to a medical institution, but also to folk recipes. However, it is worthwhile to understand that such a method will only remove the symptoms, and the initial disease will not completely destroy. Therefore, it is best to use traditional treatment in conjunction with the traditional.

It is believed that it fights well with the manifestations of proteinuria of cranberries. It is necessary to prepare from her a mors, which can be used as a dessert and for therapeutic purposes.

It is also good to reduce the level of protein in the urine of infusions based on parsley. The classic recipe looks like this: 1 tsp. Seeds or crushed root (if desired) parsley should be poured a glass of boiling water. Then the liquid must be allowed to infuse for a couple of hours.

Another ancient recipe - a decoction of birch buds. 2 tablespoons The main ingredient is filled with a glass of water, after which the remedy is brought to a boil. To the broth was fully ready for use, it must be insisted in the thermos for 2-3 hours.

Traces of protein in the urine during pregnancy are not very often detected. Causes (treatment relies on their elimination) can be different, but the main thing is to recognize them in time.