About all

What does pregnant urine look like: The Ultimate Guide To Understanding Pregnancy Urine Color

Содержание

The Ultimate Guide To Understanding Pregnancy Urine Color

Table of Contents

During pregnancy, changes in hormone levels and increased blood flow can impact various bodily functions, including urine production and color. While urine color can vary from person to person, it can also be an indicator of overall health and well-being during pregnancy. Understanding what is normal and what could be a cause for concern can help expectant mothers take steps to maintain their health and ensure a safe pregnancy. 

In this blog, we will explore what pregnancy urine color can tell you about your health and what to do if you notice any concerning changes.

What Does the Urine Color Typically Mean?

Urine color can vary from person to person, but in general, a pale yellow or straw color is considered normal. During pregnancy, hormonal changes and increased blood flow to the kidneys can impact urine color. 

The Normal Urine Color:

  • Urine is typically a pale yellow or straw color.
  • This color is due to the presence of urochrome, a pigment produced by the breakdown of hemoglobin in red blood cells.
  • The shade of yellow can vary based on factors such as hydration levels, diet, and certain medications or supplements.

The Pregnancy Urine Color:

  • During pregnancy, urine color can vary due to hormonal changes and increased blood flow to the kidneys.
  • A darker yellow or orange color may indicate dehydration, which can lead to urinary tract infections or other complications if left untreated.
  • Red or pink urine may indicate the presence of blood, which could be a sign of a more serious issue such as a urinary tract infection, kidney stones, or even a miscarriage.
  • Green or blue urine can occur in rare cases and may be a sign of a medical condition or the presence of certain medications.

It’s important to note that urine color alone is not always a reliable indicator of health or the presence of a medical issue. If you have concerns about your urine color or notice any other concerning symptoms, it’s important to speak with your healthcare provider for personalized guidance and care.

Also Read : 15 Rare Pregnancy Symptoms You May Experience

Why Does the Pregnancy Urine Color Change?

Here are the explanations for the reasons why pregnancy urine color can change:

  1. Dehydration:
  • During pregnancy, dehydration can cause urine to become darker and more concentrated, leading to a yellow or orange color.
  • Dehydration can also increase the risk of urinary tract infections and other complications.
  1. Urinary Tract Infection (UTI):
  • UTIs are common in pregnant women and can cause symptoms such as pain or burning during urination, frequent urination, and cloudy or strong-smelling urine.
  • UTIs can also cause urine to appear darker or more concentrated, indicating dehydration.
  1. Diet:
  • Certain foods and drinks can impact urine colors, such as beets, berries, and vitamin C supplements.
  • During pregnancy, it’s important to maintain a balanced and healthy diet to support both maternal and fetal health.
  1. Prenatal Vitamins:
  • Prenatal vitamins can contain high levels of vitamins such as B vitamins or iron, which can cause urine to appear brighter yellow or even green.
  • While this can be normal and not a cause for concern, it’s important to speak with a healthcare provider if you have questions or concerns about prenatal vitamins.
  1. Kidney Diseases:
  • In rare cases, pregnancy urine color changes could be a sign of kidney diseases such as glomerulonephritis or pyelonephritis.
  • These conditions can cause symptoms such as fever, pain or discomfort in the lower back or side, and changes in urine color or output.
  • It’s important to speak with a healthcare provider if you have concerns about kidney function or notice any concerning symptoms during pregnancy.

The Importance of Urine Test During Pregnancy: How Often Should You Take it?

Urine tests during pregnancy are important because they can help detect certain health conditions that can affect both the mother and the baby. These tests can detect issues such as urinary tract infections, gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and kidney problems, which can all have serious consequences if left untreated. 

The frequency of urine tests during pregnancy can vary depending on individual factors such as medical history, age, and other risk factors. However, most healthcare providers will recommend regular urine tests at each prenatal visit to ensure that any potential health issues are identified and addressed as soon as possible.

When You Should See A Doctor?

Here are some possible symptoms during pregnancy that could indicate the need to see a doctor:

  1. Pain or burning during urination
  2. Cloudy or foul-smelling urine
  3. Blood in the urine
  4. Increased frequency or urgency to urinate
  5. Pain in the lower abdomen or back
  6. Swelling in the face or hands
  7. High blood pressure
  8. Vaginal bleeding or spotting
  9. Decreased fetal movement

If you experience any of these symptoms during pregnancy, it is important to seek medical advice from a healthcare provider such as Ayu Health, who can promptly determine the cause and provide appropriate treatment to ensure the health of you and your baby.

Our Hospital Locations

Gynaecology Surgery Hospitals in Chandigarh | Gynaecology Surgery Hospitals in Bangalore | Gynaecology Surgery Hospitals in Jaipur | Gynaecology Surgery Hospitals in NCR | Gynaecology Surgery Hospitals in Hyderabad

Our Doctors

Gynaecology Surgery Doctors in Chandigarh | Gynaecology Surgery Doctors in Bangalore | Gynaecology Surgery Doctors in Jaipur | Gynaecology Surgery Doctors in NCR | Gynaecology Surgery Doctors in Hyderabad

Dr. Nethra H S

MS – Obstetrics & Gynaecology, MBBS Obstetrician, Gynecologist

at

Ayu Health

| Website

| + posts

Dr. Nethra H S is an Obstetrician, Gynecologist, and Reproductive Medicine and Infertility at Ayu Health, Bangalore, and has an experience of 8 years in these fields.

She completed her MS – Obstetrics & Gynaecology from ESIC Medical College & PGIMSR in 2016 and an MBBS from Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences in 2011.

Like this:

Like Loading…

Dr. Nethra H S

Arvind has been writing health information for the past 8 years. He has extensive experience writing about health issues like sepsis, cancer, mental health issues, and women’s health.

Urine Changes to Expect During Pregnancy

How Changes in Urine Show Up in Pregnancy Tests

Many women will discover they are pregnant when they take a urine-based home pregnancy test.

About 12 to 15 days after conception, a urine test should be able to detect levels of the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), according to Mount Sinai. HCG is a hormone made by the placenta when you are pregnant, and it appears after the embryo attaches to the wall of the uterus. HCG levels increase quickly and peak within the first trimester, after which they will declining slightly.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends testing one to two weeks after you miss your period, and with your first urination of the day, for the most dependable results. Your healthcare professional can also test for hCG using a blood test to confirm pregnancy status.

HCG levels are measured in milli-international units per milliliter (mIU/ml), which increase as pregnancy progresses. If you’re not pregnant, the HCG reading will be less than 5 mIU/ml. The expected HCG level is based on the length of the pregnancy. At three weeks, hCG will be between 5 and 72 mIU/mL and will likely result in a positive test, per Mount Sinai.

Low levels of hCG, the hospital notes, may suggest a miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy, while extremely high levels of hCG may suggest that there is more than one fetus (twins or triplets), a molar pregnancy (in which there’s a genetic error during the fertilization process), or, more rarely, ovarian cancer. After a pregnancy loss, it takes roughly four to six weeks for hCG levels to return to normal.

Pregnancy kit manufacturers say that at-home pregnancy tests are 97 to 99 percent accurate when used as directed on the package, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Positive results can be trusted, but you can get a false negative result very early in pregnancy.

The Cleveland Clinic recommends taking a pregnancy test in the morning as soon as you wake up, because this is when urine is the most concentrated with hCG.

How Urine Changes Throughout Pregnancy

Many pregnant women will experience changes in their urine throughout their pregnancy, and many may notice that they are urinating more frequently than normal even before they have missed their first period or taken a pregnancy test, per the Cleveland Clinic. This happens because the body begins producing the pregnancy hormone hCG after implantation of the embryo in the uterus, and this hormone can cause frequent urination.

As the fetus grows, the uterus begins to press on the bladder, making it smaller in size. This makes it fill with urine more quickly, and you’ll will feel the urge to urinate more often and more urgently, according to Merck Manual. As the pregnancy continues, the uterus pushes down on the bladder, urethra, and pelvic floor muscles, and this pressure also leads to the urge to urinate more frequently.

It’s also normal for some urine to leak when you sneeze, cough, or laugh. It may help to take frequent bathroom breaks, and to practice Kegel exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles, according to the Office on Women’s Health.

Common Changes in Urine During Pregnancy

The color and smell of your urine can change when you’re pregnant.

If your urine looks darker and more concentrated, it could be a sign that you are dehydrated, per the Cleveland Clinic. Pregnant women need to drink more water than normal, and your urine color can help you determine whether you’re getting enough fluids. Morning sickness, and especially hyperemesis gravidarum (severe morning sickness) — which can cause vomiting — can also lead to dehydration, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).

When you become pregnant, your hormones may cause urine odor to change. But a strong urine odor may also indicate a urinary tract infection, per the ACOG. Interestingly, some women may be more aware of the naturally occurring ammonia-like smell of urine during pregnancy because of their heightened sense of smell, research suggests.

Blood may show up in your urine due to vaginal bleeding. If you notice this at any time during your pregnancy, contact your doctor, per the ACOG. Some women may experience light implantation bleeding at the very beginning of their pregnancy, which is not necessarily a sign of a problem. Women may also experience light bleeding after sex, an internal exam, or a pap smear. Vaginal bleeding can also be a sign of an infection of the vagina or cervix, according to the ACOG.

Pregnancy and an Increased Risk of Urinary Tract Infections

Pregnant women are at a higher risk of urinary tract infections; up to 10 percent of women will develop at least one UTI throughout the course of their pregnancy, according to previous research. UTIs happen when bacteria enter the urethra and infect the bladder, ureters, or the kidneys. Because muscle-relaxing hormones increase during pregnancy, bacteria have an easier time entering the urinary tract.

According to the ACOG, symptoms of UTIs tend to come on quickly and may include strong urge to urinate, known as urinary urgency, which may be accompanied by a sharp pain or burning in the urethra. Another common symptom is feeling the need to urinate again soon after the last bathroom trip.

If you notice that your urine has a strong odor, looks cloudy or is tinged with blood, these may also be signs of a UTI per the ACOG. Call your healthcare provider if you see blood in your urine. While it may be caused by a UTI, it also may be caused by other conditions.

In pregnancy, UTIs can be serious because they can affect your health and your baby’s health and put you at risk for preterm delivery, per the ACOG. To diagnose a UTI, your doctor may perform a urinalysis to detect the presence of bacteria, as well as test for white and red blood cells. UTIs are typically treated with a round of antibiotics, and sometimes more serious kidney infections must be treated with intravenous medication at a hospital, according to an article published in July 2021 in StatPearls.

As Mayo Clinic notes, pregnant women can prevent UTIs or speed their recovery by drinking plenty of fluids, emptying the bladder before and after sex, keeping the vaginal area clean, and emptying their bladder thoroughly while urinating. Wearing cotton underwear, avoiding tight pants or leggings, avoiding bubble baths, and wiping front to back after bowel movements can also prevent UTIs.

Pregnancy and Group B Strep Disease

Group B streptococcus (GBS), a bacterium that often lives in the intestines or lower genital tract, is a potential cause of a UTI, per Mayo Clinic. Yet in pregnancy, GBS may simply be part of a woman’s vaginal flora, rather than the cause of a UTI. Pregnant women are tested for GBS in late pregnancy, typically between weeks 35 and 37, via a vaginal and rectal swab. If a woman tests positive, the antibiotic penicillin is given to her during labor to prevent early-onset GBS infection in newborns, per the ACOG.

Untreated, GBS can spread to infants during delivery and cause group B strep disease in newborns.

Sometimes GBS has an early onset, with newborns experiencing symptoms like fever, lethargy, and difficulty feeding within a week after birth. Or the newborn can develop late-onset symptoms of group B strep disease within a few weeks or months after birth, per the Mayo Clinic.

The Latest in Urine

7 Home Remedies for Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) Symptoms

Home remedies for urinary tract infection, or UTI, like drinking more water, may help bring relief to symptoms. Learn about more UTI remedies and how …

By Lindsey Konkel

Frequent Urination: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

Frequent urination can result from drinking too many fluids or can be caused by a UTI or disease affecting parts of the urinary tract, including the kidneys…

By Kathleen Smith, PhD, LPC

What Causes Cloudy Urine in Women and Men?

Cloudy urine can be caused by a number of medical conditions, including dehydration, a urinary tract infection, sexually transmitted infections, kidney. ..

By Kathleen Smith, PhD, LPC

What Does Burning or Painful Urination (Dysuria) Mean?

Pain or discomfort during urination (dysuria) may feel like burning, stinging, or itching and is often caused by a bacterial infection or inflammation…

By Kathleen Smith, PhD, LPC

Ketones in Urine: When and Why to Test for Them and What They Mean

Testing for ketones in urine is important in people with diabetes. Too much of the acid, created when the body burns fat for fuel, can lead to a serious…

By Kathleen Smith, PhD, LPC

Urinalysis: Purposes, Types, Results

In a urinalysis, a clean urine sample is collected in a specimen cup and examined visually, microscopically, and with a dipstick test to diagnose and …

By Kathleen Smith, PhD, LPC

Protein in Urine (Proteinuria): Causes, Symptoms, Treatment

It’s normal for urine to have a little protein, but high levels of protein in urine, or proteinuria, can mean your kidneys aren’t properly filtering waste. ..

By Kathleen Smith, PhD, LPC

What Causes Blood in Urine (Hematuria)?

Blood in urine, or hematuria, isn’t always serious but can be a sign of a number of health conditions, including those affecting the kidneys, bladder,…

By Kathleen Smith, PhD, LPC

What Your Urine Says About You and Your Health

The color, odor, density, and frequency of your urine can tell you a lot about your health, as can the presence of proteins and ketones. Changes in urine…

By Kathleen Smith, PhD, LPC

10 Medications That May Cause Increased Urination

There are several potential causes of frequent urination, and the meds you’re taking could be one of the culprits. Here is a list of medications that …

By Jessica Migala

How the color of urine changes during pregnancy

Pregnancy and childbirth

Photo
adobe.com” data-v-586212d6=””> Pixel-Shot — stock.adobe.com

And whether the color of urine changes during pregnancy, a woman can verify this personally when collecting urine. As a rule, a pregnant woman’s immunity decreases, which can lead to the development of various ailments, which are indicated by a changed color of urine.

What is the normal color of urine during pregnancy?

During normal pregnancy, the color of urine is yellow. It can vary from light yellow to amber. The intensity of its color is affected by:

  • degree of concentration;
  • peculiarities of the pregnant woman’s diet;
  • the amount of liquid you drink;
  • the presence of physical activity.

The drinking regime strongly affects the shade of urine. If the expectant mother consumes a lot of liquid, then the urine is usually light yellow, and sometimes almost colorless. You should also be aware that the morning portion of urine always has a more intense color than the daytime. This is due to the fact that at night, a pregnant woman, as a rule, does not drink water, and therefore the urine is concentrated and becomes dark yellow.

1 of 3

Garden of Life Vitamin Code RAW Prenatal 90 Vegetarian Capsules

Ask for price

Advertising. Yandex LLC

2 out of 3

Vitrum Prenatal Plus tab.

Ask for price

Advertising. Yandex LLC

3 out of 3

Elevit second and third trimester caps.

Ask for price

Advertising. OOO “Yandex”

What does change in urine color mean during pregnancy?

In the first trimester, urine may become dark in color due to toxicosis, as a result of which the body of the expectant mother is dehydrated. During this period, you need to drink as much liquid as possible.

Photo
adobe.com” data-v-586212d6=””> Alexander Raths — stock.adobe.com

Urine color may change due to nutrition. For example, when eating beets and carrots, their color turns pink. The greenish-yellow color comes from eating rhubarb. The medications you take can also significantly change the color of your urine.

When taking activated charcoal, it turns brown, aspirin – pink, vitamins and medicines for the treatment of kidney ailments – bright yellow.

Urine changes color in some diseases. It becomes:

  • pinkish or reddish with an inflammatory process in the kidneys or bladder;
  • brownish or brown-green in pathologies of the liver and gallbladder;
  • nearly colorless in diabetes mellitus;
  • deep dark yellow for heart failure;
  • black for hemolytic anemia.

In addition to changing the color of the urine with the development of various ailments, a pregnant woman also has other symptoms. Based on the analysis of urine and the signs found, the doctor will establish the correct diagnosis and prescribe the appropriate treatment ( read also : Why the stomach and lower back hurt during pregnancy are non-obvious reasons).

Don’t panic if the color of your urine changes a lot during pregnancy. This may be due to diet or certain medications. But you should definitely share your doubts with your doctor ( see also : 10 pregnancy myths you should stop believing).

Julia Ionina


Tags

  • pregnancy and childbirth

Reading today

“Looking ashamed”: 53-year-old bride of a billionaire Bezosa wore a dress 10 centimeters long

Russia has never heard of such a thing: 10 secrets of comfort in French apartments

These women leave a mark on the heart: 4 signs of the zodiac that men will never forget

“Plus 5 kg”: Lera Kudryavtseva showed an appetizing figure in a bikini

Urine tests during pregnancy – what they watch

  1. Why take a urine test during pregnancy
  2. How to give urine for analysis
  3. What a urine test shows and how it is assessed
  4. Special urine tests

During pregnancy, a woman undergoes many different tests. The most frequent, and at the same time the simplest study is a urinalysis. It is taken regularly, before each visit to the doctor of the antenatal clinic, that is, at least 12 times during pregnancy.

Why take a urine test during pregnancy

Urine is formed in the kidneys during blood filtration, with it the decay products formed during metabolism, salts, vitamins, hormones are excreted from the body. Based on this analysis, one can judge the work of the kidneys and other organs. The main component of urine is water (92-99%). Approximately 50-70 dry substances are removed from the body with urine every day, most of which are urea and sodium chloride. The composition of urine varies significantly even in healthy people, depending on the diet, drinking regimen and medication. During pregnancy, a regular study of a general urine test allows you to suspect in time the initial pathological processes in the body of a future mother, for example, the development of a urinary tract infection or toxicosis in the second half of pregnancy. For a correct assessment of the results of the analysis, urine must be collected correctly.

How to donate urine for analysis

On the eve of the test, it is recommended to refrain from intense physical activity, do not eat a lot of meat products, salty, sour and spicy foods, as well as coloring foods (beets, carrots, etc.). This can lead to a distortion of the result – the appearance of protein and salts in the urine. For a general urinalysis, it is preferable to collect the morning portion of urine.

Thorough toilet of the external genitalia with warm water and soap is carried out beforehand. It is better to close the vagina with a cotton swab to prevent secretions from entering the urine sample. Urine is collected in a clean, dry container. For analysis, an average portion of urine is used, that is, for the first few seconds you need to urinate into the toilet, then into a jar, and the remains again into the toilet.

Urine should be delivered to the laboratory within two hours of collection and it is advisable to try not to subject it to strong shaking during transport. It is allowed to store urine in the refrigerator at a temperature of +2-+4 degrees, but not more than 1.5 hours. It is desirable that the amount of material collected for the study be at least 70 ml.

What a urinalysis shows and how it is evaluated

In a urinalysis, many parameters are evaluated.

Color

Normal urine has a yellow color of various shades. The shade depends on the degree of saturation of urine with a special pigment – urochrome. A change in the color of urine can occur when taking certain medications (for example, vitamins can give a bright yellow color, aspirin – pink). However, much more often a change in the color of urine indicates the presence of any pathological processes in the body. When blood appears in the urine, which occurs in diseases of the kidneys and bladder, the urine becomes bright red (with renal colic, cystitis) or the so-called “color of meat slops” (with acute inflammatory kidney damage). With increased destruction of red blood cells (erythrocytes), urine acquires a reddish-brown hue. Yellow-brown (or beer-colored) urine occurs with liver diseases.

Transparency

Transparency should normally be complete. Turbidity of urine can be the result of the presence in the urine of erythrocytes, leukocytes, epithelium, bacteria, fat droplets, precipitation of salts.

Relative density (specific gravity)

This is an indicator that characterizes the amount of trace elements, salts, and various compounds. Normally, the specific gravity is 1003 – 1035 g / l. This indicator may decrease in the presence of glucose or protein in the urine, with toxicosis of the first half of pregnancy, dehydration. An increase in specific gravity occurs in chronic renal failure, diabetes insipidus, and heavy drinking.

Protein

Protein content in urine is one of the most important indicators of kidney function. Normally, it shouldn’t be. A small amount of protein in the urine (physiological proteinuria) can also be found in healthy people, while the protein concentration does not exceed 0. 033 g / l, in modern laboratories with more sensitive equipment – 0.14 g / l. The appearance of protein in the urine is noted in diseases of the kidneys, inflammatory diseases of the bladder and urinary tract. The presence of protein in the urine, combined with an increase in blood pressure and edema, is a sign of a serious complication of pregnancy – late gestosis, which can lead to seizures and even death of a pregnant woman and fetus.

Glucose

Normally, there is no glucose in the general urine test. However, in the second half of pregnancy, the presence of glucose in the urine (glucosuria) can normally be detected. This is due to increased filtration of glucose in the kidneys. Since the appearance of glucose in the urine can be a sign of a serious illness – diabetes mellitus, acute inflammation of the pancreas, all patients with glucosuria need an additional examination – blood glucose control, sometimes even a glucose tolerance test with a sugar load – determination of blood glucose on an empty stomach and 2 hours after taking 75 grams of glucose.

Bilirubin

This is a blood pigment that is formed as a result of metabolic processes in the body and is excreted with bile into the gastrointestinal tract. With an increase in the concentration of bilirubin in the blood, it begins to be excreted by the kidneys and found in the urine. This occurs mainly with liver damage or mechanical obstruction of the outflow of bile.

Urobilinogen

This is a conversion product of bilirubin. Normally, it is excreted in the bile and practically does not enter the urine. The appearance of urobilinogen in the urine occurs in liver diseases, poisoning, increased decay of red blood cells – erythrocytes.

Ketone bodies

These are products formed during the breakdown of fatty acids in the body. Normally, there are no ketone bodies in the urine test. Determining them is very important in diagnosing the adequacy of diabetes therapy. The appearance of ketones can occur in the first trimester of pregnancy with early toxicosis and indicate dehydration.

Nitrites

These are salts of nitrous acid and are not normally found in urine. Their appearance indicates the presence of a urinary tract infection.

Leukocytes

These are white blood cells. Normally, in the general analysis of urine, leukocytes are found up to 5 in the field of view. If the number of leukocytes is increased, this indicates the presence of an inflammatory process in the kidneys, bladder or urethra, while the higher the number of leukocytes, the more pronounced the inflammation. A slight increase in the number of leukocytes can be observed if vaginal discharge enters the urine with a poor toilet of the external genital organs.

Erythrocytes

Red blood cells. Normally, in the general analysis of urine there should be no more than 2 erythrocytes in the field of view. An increase in their number occurs in the presence of stones in the kidneys or urinary tract, inflammation of the kidneys, injuries.

Cylinders

Cylindrical elements of urinary sediment, consisting of protein or cells, may also contain various inclusions. Normally absent. They are found mainly in diseases of the kidneys.

Salts

These are inorganic substances which may precipitate on standing urine. Normally, there are no salts in the urine. The appearance of urates in the urine occurs with kidney diseases, as well as in the first trimester of pregnancy with vomiting of pregnant women.

Amorphous phosphates

Also found in vomiting of pregnant women, with inflammation of the bladder, and can occur normally with a predominance of vegetable and dairy foods in the diet.

Oxalates

Occurs in inflammation of the kidneys, diabetes mellitus, as well as in the predominance of foods rich in oxalic acid in the diet (spinach, sorrel, tomatoes, asparagus).

Bacteria

Isolation of bacteria in the urine is of significant diagnostic value during pregnancy. The appearance of bacteria in the urine indicates the presence of an inflammatory process in the kidneys, bladder or urethra and requires mandatory treatment, even if the expectant mother is not worried about anything. Bacteria can also enter the urine from the vagina when the toilet of the external genitalia is poor. To determine the number of bacteria, their type and sensitivity to antibiotic therapy, an additional urine culture for flora is mandatory. To obtain the correct result of this analysis, after a thorough toilet of the external genital organs, close the vagina with a cotton swab, collect the middle portion of urine in a sterile container, tighten the lid tightly and deliver it to the laboratory within one and a half to two hours. Urine culture is prepared on average from 7 to 10 days and allows the doctor to decide whether it is necessary to carry out antibacterial treatment, and with what drugs.


Learn more about the services:

  • Pregnancy tests


Special urinalysis

Urine culture

Mandatory if bacteria are detected in the general urinalysis.

Purpose of the study. Performed to determine the number of bacteria, their type and sensitivity to antibacterial drugs.

Rules for collecting urine for analysis. To obtain a correct result from this test, urine must be collected after thorough toileting of the vulva, covering the vagina with a cotton swab. It is necessary to collect an average portion of urine in a sterile container, screw the lid tightly and deliver it to the laboratory within one and a half to two hours.

Urine culture is prepared on average from 7 to 10 days and allows the doctor to decide whether to carry out antibacterial treatment and with what drugs. If there is a clinical picture of inflammation, before the results of the culture are obtained, antibacterial treatment with a broad-spectrum antibiotic (acts on a large range of bacteria) is carried out, and in case of asymptomatic course of the disease or mild inflammation, treatment is not carried out until the results of the analysis are obtained.

Urinalysis according to Nechiporenko

This is a special urine test that shows the content of erythrocytes, leukocytes and cylinders in 1 ml of urine.

Purpose of the study. This analysis is prescribed if there is a suspicion of an inflammatory process in the organs of the urinary system in a pregnant woman, if there are changes in the general analysis of urine. It gives more accurate results than a general urinalysis, and also allows you to control the ongoing treatment in dynamics.

Urine collection rules. Urine for Nechiporenko analysis is collected in the same way as for general urinalysis.

Investigated parameters

  • The number of leukocytes – normally they should be less than 2 thousand in 1 ml . An increase in the number of leukocytes indicates the presence of pyelonephritis (an inflammatory disease of the pelvis and calyces of the kidneys).
  • The number of erythrocytes is normally less than 1 thousand in 1 ml. An increase in the number of red blood cells indicates the development of glomerulonephritis (inflammation of the renal glomeruli).
  • The number of cylinders is normally less than 20 in 1 ml. The detection of an increased content of cylinders indicates arterial hypertension, diseases of the cardiovascular system, and can occur with early toxicosis of pregnant women.

Urinalysis according to Zimnitsky

Purpose of the study. This analysis is prescribed to clarify the ability of the kidneys to concentrate and dilute urine, to identify latent edema. The study may be needed if you suspect the development of preeclampsia, renal failure, infections of the urinary system, as well as diabetes.

Urine collection rules. For urine analysis according to Zimnitsky, urine is collected during the day (24 hours) in 8 containers (jars), while the amount of fluid drunk is necessarily taken into account (the pregnant woman writes down how much fluid she drinks during the day, taking into account soups, fruits and vegetables). At 6 am, a woman urinates into the toilet, then all subsequent urine is collected in jars.

Total 8 servings:

  • 1 serving – 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.,
  • 2 portion – from 9-00 to 12-00 hours,
  • 3 portion – from 12-00 to 15-00 hours,
  • 4 portion – from 15-00 to 18-00 hours,
  • 5 portion – from 18-00 to 21-00 hours,
  • 6 portion – from 21-00 to 24-00 hours,
  • 7 portion – from 24-00 to 3-00 hours,
  • 8 portion – from 3-00 to 6-00 hours.

Jars are signed and delivered to the laboratory.

Test parameters. The amount and specific gravity of urine in each portion is estimated. Normal kidney function is characterized by:

  • daily urine volume about 1.5 liters;
  • predominance of daytime urination over nighttime;
  • urinary excretion of approximately 70–80% of the liquid drunk per day;
  • the specific gravity of urine in at least one of the portions is not lower than 1.020–1.022;
  • significant fluctuations during the day in the amount of urine in individual portions (from 50 to 400 ml) and the specific gravity of urine (from 1. 003 to 1.028).

Deviations from these standards indicate a violation in the work of the kidneys.

Reberg’s test

Purpose of the study. This test is used to determine the ability of the kidneys to filter urine. It must be carried out for all pregnant women with preeclampsia, with urinary tract infections, with kidney diseases, and with diabetes.

Urine collection rules. Before the test, intense physical activity, strong tea and coffee are excluded. Urine is collected during the day in one container, which is stored in the refrigerator during the entire collection time. After completing the collection of urine, measure the contents of the container, be sure to mix and immediately pour 70-100 ml into a special container or jar and deliver it to the laboratory, reporting the total volume of urine collected per day.

At the time of delivery of urine to the laboratory, blood is taken for creatinine from a vein.

Test parameters. The method is based on the assessment of glomerular filtration by the rate of purification of blood plasma from creatinine, a special product of protein breakdown. This indicator can be determined if you know the concentration of creatinine in the blood, in the urine and the daily volume of urine. This indicator is calculated using a special formula and is called creatinine clearance. Normally, the value of this indicator ranges from 75 to 134 ml / min / 1.7 m2. A decrease in the level of renal filtration indicates kidney damage and occurs with severe complications of pregnancy – gestosis, kidney diseases (pyelonephritis, glomerulonephritis), diabetes mellitus, arterial hypertension, urolithiasis.

Urine for 17-KC

This test was previously widely administered to pregnant women to determine the hormones produced by the cortex of the endocrine glands – the adrenal glands. For analysis, urine was collected during the day, mixed, a small part of it was poured, which was delivered to the laboratory with an indication of the total amount of urine collected.