A female body goes through various changes during pregnancy. Thanks to hormonal changes that stand responsible for so many bodily changes that occur during pregnancy. But, is smelly urine during pregnancy normal? Urine is usually pale yellow or transparent in color with a light odor. But many times, it becomes smelly or cloudy due to the presence of any infection-causing germs in it.
A change in urine or if it becomes smelly is not always a concern, but when it is during pregnancy, it is always better to talk to your doctor. Because a pungent or foul smell in urine during pregnancy can be problematic for a woman. You may face such concerns in urine for the full first trimester or sometimes for later stages as well. It is always advised to consult your doctor to rule out the possibility of any infections.
In This Article
- Is Smelly Urine Normal During Pregnancy?
- Causes Of Smelly Urine During Pregnancy
- Treating Urine Odor During Pregnancy
- Top 5 Tips To Manage Urine Odor During Pregnancy
- When To Call A Doctor?
- FAQ’s
Is Smelly Urine Normal During Pregnancy?
Smelly urine is not always a matter of concern but can be intolerable for pregnant women. While it can be because of the heightened sense of smell during pregnancy, hormonal changes and dehydration can also contribute to the reasons.
In minor cases, it can be eased out but in major cases, an underlying pathology test is done to rule out the kind of infections causing smelly urine. Not to worry much but keep your body well hydrated. Consult your doctor if the problem persists.
Causes of Smelly Urine During Pregnancy
All things you eat or drink affect the smell of the urine. It can also occur due to dietary changes and dehydration. Some infections like UTIs (urinary tract infections) and SITs (sexually transmitted infections) also lead to a pungent odor in the urine.
Here are a few causes for smelly urine during pregnancy
- Urinary tract infection
- Dehydration
- Vitamins and supplements
- Change in diet
- Nasal sensitivity during pregnancy
- Urinary incontinence
Treating Urine Odor During Pregnancy
If you have smelly urine during pregnancy, it is better to let your doctor know to rule out any possibility of infections. However, if you are diagnosed with infections your doctor may prescribe you pregnancy-safe medications to treat the infection. Treatment of UTIs and STIs can be done easily by antibiotics.
Other than this, it is important to keep in mind that you should not go for any self-medication, or try to treat yourself without reaching out to your doctor.
Top 5 Tips to Manage Urine Odor During Pregnancy
The best way to ease smelly urine during pregnancy depends upon the factors leading to the cause. But following some lifestyle changes may help manage the problem.
Here are a few things you can do to manage urine odor during pregnancy
1. Maintaining Good Hygiene
Changing and washing clothes regularly, wiping your vagina neatly after every pee, giving your genitals a good lukewarm bath, avoid douching are the best ways to prevent foul-smelling urine during pregnancy.
2. Hydration is the Key
Keeping yourself well hydrated is one of the best ways to stop your urine from smelling. The body must have sufficient fluid to dilute the urine and pass it without any burning sensation.
3. Urinating Frequently
If you urinate very often it does not allow the urine to stay for a longer period inside the bladder. Hence it becomes less acidic. Thus, it helps to decrease the smell.
4. Eating Probiotics
Probiotics means very healthy bacteria which reduce the risk of bacterial infections. Eating probiotic-rich foods like yogurt, buttermilk, tofu, etc promotes good vaginal as well as intestinal health.
5. Cranberry Juice
Drinking cranberry juice helps neutralize the acidic level of urine, thereby reducing the smell.
When to Call a Doctor?
Any persisting concern during pregnancy should be taken to the notice of your doctor. If you see any signs mentioned below, call for a doctor’s help immediately.
- Low body temperature
- Blood stains in urine
- Abdominal cramps
- Fatigue or mild fever
- Feeling unwell
Keeping a check on the changes in the urine and discussing such changes with your doctor and getting the proper urine test done can reassure your and your baby’s health during pregnancy. Meanwhile, you should stay hydrated and keep your physical activity on to enjoy a safer and healthy pregnancy.
FAQ’s
1. What is a Natural Remedy For Smelly Urine?
Smelly urine is not always a sign of infection. One of the best ways to stay away from it is to drink plenty of water, lesser intake of acidic food, and avoid holding pee for a long time. But, ensure to get it checked with your doctor if the symptoms persist.
2. How Smelly Urine is Caused?
Smelly urine is caused due to many reasons like not maintaining proper hygiene, dehydration, and bacterial infections during pregnancy. It is always better to consult your doctor if you have persistent smelly urine. It helps to rule out any risks of infections, that can be harmful to you and the baby during pregnancy.
Read Also: Cloudy Urine During Pregnancy – Is it Normal and How to Diagnosis
