Protein in urine during pregnancy

Pregnant women are forced to take a large number of different tests, among which an important position is taken by an analysis of the protein content in the urine. Protein in urine during pregnancy can serve as a reason for conducting thorough additional studies to prevent and treat many possible diseases.

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The causes of the appearance of protein in the urine during pregnancy

What could be the cause of the appearance of a protein that should not normally be in the urine?

Blood, as is known, is filtered by the kidneys: all substances useless for the organism pass into the urine, and necessary (in particular, the protein) remain in the blood. However, in the case of filtering disorders, the protein does not pass the required selection and is found in the urine. There can be many reasons for this:

• inflammatory process in the kidneys (pyelonephritis) - in addition to the appearance of protein in the urine, there is also an excess of white blood cells, possibly red blood cells, the condition is accompanied by an increase in body temperature, pain in the lower back;
• inflammatory disease of the renal glomeruli (glomerulonephritis) - accompanied by a significant increase in the number of erythrocytes and protein in the urine. Depending on the course of the disease, kidney pain and hyperthermia are possible;
• the state of nephropathy (or gestosis) is a serious complication in pregnancy, can manifest from the twentieth week of gestation. The degree of severity in gestosis determines the duration of pregnancy and the brightness of clinical manifestations, the disease is accompanied by the appearance of swelling and an increase in pressure indices. This pathological condition can lead to brain edema and eclampsic fits in the pregnant woman, as well as to violations of intrauterine development and even to the death of the baby.

Sometimes the appearance of protein fractions in urine (in not very large amounts) may be due to the incorrect collection of material for analysis: in such situations urine is recommended to retake.

The norm of protein in the urine during pregnancy

In pregnant women, the possibility of determining an uncritical amount of protein in the urine can be the norm: the daily urine output can contain about 0.08 g. After a small stressful situation, after physical exertion, the level of excreted protein can rise to 0.2 g, although the rates of pregnancy admit a reading of 0.14 g / l.

Many experts are inclined to think that increasing the amount of protein in the urine is more than 0,033 g / l - this is the first bell for taking urgent measures to prevent complications during pregnancy.

Pregnancy provides for an increased burden on the kidneys and urinary system, however, unfortunately, the body does not always cope with it.

Beginning with the 20th week of gestation, an enlarged uterus by its size can interfere with normal blood supply to the kidneys and urinary ducts. This can contribute to the formation of an inflammatory reaction in the urinary system. Therefore, if a protein is found in urinalysis, a permanent visit to the urologist or nephrologist during the entire pregnancy period is recommended.

Traces of protein in the urine during pregnancy

Detection of a small amount of protein in the urine (less than 0.14 g / l) can be considered an acceptable norm: sometimes it's just a fraudulent or physiological type of proteinuria.

Deceptive proteinuria can occur when the urine is collected incorrectly for analysis:

• the morning portion of urine is collected;
• The collection container must be clean and dry;
• it is necessary to observe the rules of intimate hygiene - you must wash yourself before collecting the analysis;
• in the presence of vaginal discharge, it is recommended to put a swab at the time of collection, in order to avoid mixing of excretions and urine;
• do not use antiseptic substances, furacilin, manganese, herbal decoctions during the washing process.

The causes of proteinuria of a physiological nature are as follows:

• eating a significant amount of foods saturated with proteins (dairy products, meat, eggs);
• physical education, including long walks;
• stressful situations, intense emotional states;
• colds before the test;
• cold or contrast shower in the morning, hypothermia.

When determining traces of protein in the urine, it may be advisable to re-sift the assay the next day, following all the rules for collecting urine.

Protein in the urine after pregnancy

Residual amounts of protein after childbirth, burdened with the development of gestosis, are completely permissible. However, pronounced proteinuria after the resolution of pregnancy can signal that the urinary system could not recover from significant loads on the kidneys during the period of gestation. The inflammatory reaction could worsen, but without analysis and additional research it is difficult to assess the severity of the situation.

Possible causes of proteinuria after the termination of pregnancy are the formation of complications and the attachment of some pathological conditions:

• high blood pressure;
• metabolic disorders;
• inflammatory lesions, disorders of urinary function (phenomena of pyelonephritis, glomerulonephritis);
• formation and growth of neoplasms in the kidneys;
• infectious damage;
• traumatic kidney damage;
• frequent hypothermia;
• intoxication and poisoning;
• development of autoimmune pathology.

Detection of protein in the urine after childbirth requires mandatory additional research and advice from a qualified doctor. It is recommended to conduct several more comparative analyzes of urine, on the basis of which it is possible to trace the dynamics of the development of pathology and assess the severity of the situation.

Treatment of high protein in the urine during pregnancy

Principles of therapy with an increased content of protein fractions in the urine directly depend on the direct causes of proteinuria and the amount of protein found. Sometimes in late pregnancy, when the protein content is critical and can provoke unwanted complications, doctors resort to emergency stimulation of labor or to cesarean section, which often helps to save the baby and reduce the burden on the mother's body.

Women who, prior to pregnancy, had problems with the urinary system, should observe the specialist (nephrologist or urologist).

Therapeutic measures must necessarily include:

• constant monitoring of pressure indicators;
• the restriction of the consumption of salty foods, sugar, protein products;
• adding a sufficient amount of vegetables and fruits to the daily ration;
• drinking regime should be limited, but not minimized - a lack of fluid can lead to an increase in signs of intoxication and disruption of the kidneys;
• Do not force yourself to significant physical exertion - short walks and easy exercise will be enough;
• avoid hypothermia, colds, stressful situations.

Drug therapy for the detection of protein in the urine is determined exclusively by the doctor on the basis of complex patient examinations.

Your body should be treated with care, especially when you are pregnant, and are responsible not only for yourself, but for your unborn baby. If you have found a protein in your urine during pregnancy - definitely tell your doctor about it, even if you feel fine, and nothing bothers you. By doing this, you may save the health and life of your unborn child.