You have missed your period, and you visit a lab to confirm your pregnancy. Your lab or doctor then confirms your pregnancy with a urine test. While urine tests are extremely common for pregnancy confirmation, your gynecologist will continue to prescribe urine tests throughout your pregnancy. Do you know why? These tests check for the presence of sugar, infection, and leukocytes in urine during pregnancy.
Pregnant women tend to have frequent urinary tract infections, and leukocytes in the urine more often suggest an infection. The presence of an increased number of leukocytes in your body strongly suggests infections or obstructions in the urinary tract or bladder. For this reason, urine samples of pregnant women are routinely tested for leukocytes during pregnancy.
In This Article
- What are Leukocytes in Urine?
- The Reasons for Leukocytes in Urine During Pregnancy
- Symptoms of Leukocytes in Urine While Pregnant
- How to Check for Leukocytes in Urine During Pregnancy?
- Additional Tests
- Complications of Leukocytes in Urine During Pregnancy
- Treating Leukocytes in Urine During Pregnancy?
- Prevention
- FAQ’s
What are Leukocytes in Urine?
Leukocytes are white blood cells (WBC), and they play a vital role in our immune system. They are significant in fighting off infections and ailments. The presence of leukocytes in urine indicates some sort of infection in the urinary tract. The leukocytes in the urine appear when there is an intense infection or obstruction in the urinary tract.
The Reasons for Leukocytes in Urine During Pregnancy
The number of WBC in the urine can be increased due to several reasons, such as:
1. Vaginal Infection
When you are pregnant, ensure that you are keeping your vagina clean. There shouldn’t be any scope for bacterial development. Despite the care, though, sometimes the vaginal secretions may mix with the urine and pave the way for vaginal infection. This, in turn, can lead to a rise in leukocyte numbers.
2. Presence of Asymptomatic Bacteriuria
Leukocytes can appear in urine if one contracts asymptomatic bacteriuria. It is a condition in which large numbers of bacteria get multiplied in the urinary tract and appear in the urine. Yet, there will be no visible symptoms. However, the presence of leukocytes can be detected with regular urine tests. You will be given antibiotics to treat this condition.
3. Cystitis
Cystitis refers to an inflammation of the bladder wall. It is estimated that just about half of all women will get it at least once in their life. Pregnancy is one such condition that triggers this issue.
[Read: Cystitis During Pregnancy]
4. Kidney Infections
When your urine infections are not treated well, then they might result in impacting the kidney functionality as well. The presence of kidney infections might result in an increase of leukocytes in urine. Vomiting, fever, and pain in the lower back are the symptoms of kidney issues
5. Urinary Tract Infection
UTIs are extremely common in women. Pregnant women are even more susceptible to UTIs as the bladder tone gets suppressed due to the pressure of the growing womb. With UTI, the number of leukocytes in your urine increases, indicating the presence of an infection.
[Read: Urinary Tract Infection During Pregnancy]
6. Genital Infection
Genital infections such as genital herpes, bacterial vaginitis, chlamydia, gonorrhea, vaginal yeast infection, etc., can bring about an increased number of Leukocytes in the urine of pregnant women.
Symptoms of Leukocytes in Urine While Pregnant
The following are the symptoms with the presence of Leukocytes in the urine. However, these symptoms vary for everyone and entirely depend on the condition of the pregnant woman.
- If you feel a constant urge to urinate and the urge doesn’t seem to reduce, you likely have an infection and must see your doctor immediately.
- Burning sensation while urinating is the other common symptom indicating an increase in leukocytes.
- Have an eye on the color of the urine. If the urine color is tinted or pink and is foul-smelling, there are chances of an infection.
- Never neglect pelvic pain, as it always indicates some sort of problem. It is always good to see a doctor and get tests done.
- Strong smelling urine is the other factor that might be causing trouble to you always.
How to Check for Leukocytes in Urine During Pregnancy?
Urine tests are the most common way of checking for leukocytes in urine. When you are healthy, the normal presence of leukocytes in the bloodstream is 4,500-11,000 WBCs per microliter, and it is 0-5 WBCs per HPF (high-power field). If the level of leukocytes is above this level, it indicates the presence of infection.
During your routine pregnancy checks or when you go to your doctor to address a specific problem, your doctor will prescribe a urine test. This test will check for the presence of:
- Red blood cells
- WBC
- Proteins/ ketones
- Bacteria
- Any other substances based on your medical history.
Urine tests, while detecting the presence of infections, can also help the doctor in identifying any possible kidney issues. Additionally, if your sample shows the presence of bacteria, your doctor may ask for a urine culture to help identify the specific bacteria and provide treatment accordingly.
Additional Tests
X-rays and CT scans are performed on the urinary tract to find out the reasons for the presence of Leukocytes in the urine. Repeated tests are conducted a detailed analysis.
The doctor starts the treatment protocol depending on the causes, symptoms, and stage of the pregnancy. The doctor may also order repeat tests to check if the treatment is working.
During the first trimester, the urine test is done every three to four weeks. During the second trimester, tests are done every couple of weeks. However, if Leukocytes are diagnosed during the third trimester, the urine test is conducted every week.
Complications of Leukocytes in Urine During Pregnancy
After making the right diagnosis, the doctor will suggest antibiotics to protect the baby and the mother. When left untreated, high leukocyte levels can trigger various complications.
- The presence of more Leukocytes causes Eclampsia, which triggers high blood pressure. This is a serious complication that needs proper monitoring.
- Cystitis is the other effect that results in painful urination. When proper medication is not given, it may lead to a condition called gangrenous cystitis.
- Both bladder and peritonitis will be at risk, and the person won’t be able to urinate in these cases.
- If not resolved at the earliest, leukocytes in urine may pave the way for stone formation and related complications.
Treating Leukocytes in Urine During Pregnancy
Mild infections in the urinary tract can be treated by means of diuretics and natural disinfectants.
- If the presence of the Leukocytes is quite alarming, it is treated by the doctors with the right antibiotics.
- A UTI can be recurring. In such instances, depending on the frequency of these UTIs, the experts will suggest the course of antibiotics.
- In case of obstruction like kidney stones, if the natural remedies and medicines fail, the doctor may opt for surgical treatment.
Irrespective of the treatment options, for quick relief from the condition, hydration is extremely important. You must drink lots of water along with fluids. Having more fluids helps you to flush the UTI. Urinating frequently might be painful, but it helps you to heal quickly and completely.
Prevention
Following are some preventive measures you can try to prevent UTIs:
- The best way to prevent UTIs is to stay hydrated.
- Cranberry juice is frequently prescribed and the best drink to help you reduce UIT and get rid of kidney stones.
- Do not reduce your fluid intake. While you are pregnant, ensure that you are taking more fluids always.
Ensure that you consult the doctor when you face any UTI problems, especially when you are a new mother-to-be. Never neglect this as it might cause serious health issues both for the mother and the baby. Ensure that you approach the right doctor, who will not prescribe unnecessary antibiotics while you are pregnant.
Conclusion
Ensure that you consult the doctor when you face any UTI problems and that too while you are expecting to be a mom. Never neglect this as it might cause serious health issues both for the mother and to the baby. Check out with the right doctor so that you are not going to use unnecessary antibiotics while you are pregnant.
FAQ’s
1. Does an Increase in the White Blood Cells Indicate Blood Leukemia?
It is true as the diagnosis for Leukemia is made based on the increased count of leukocytes.
2. Does an Increase in WBC in Urine Considered as STD Infection?
Yes, an increase in the WBC in urine is taken as an indication of STD because Gonorrhea and Chlamydia are the types of STDs that are diagnosed by detecting increased WBC in the urine.
3. Do Leukocytes Cause Fetal Death When Not Treated Well?
The increase in Leukocytes in the blood causes many inflammatory problems. Pregnant women who are facing this issue may experience fatigue, abortion, an increase in pressure. When you find any sort of inflammation while passing urine, seek treatment immediately as it might put your baby at risk.
4. Will UTI Cause Leukocytes in my Urine?
Yes, it can. Leukocytes are white blood cells. Its presence indicates an infection.
5. Can Leukocytes be Found in Urine for Reasons Other Than an Infection?
Yes, it can. Cystitis, an inflammation of the bladder can cause this issue.
6. Can Leukocytes Indicate a Kidney Problem?
Yes, it can. Neglecting UTI can cause kidney problems. Other symptoms include vomiting and fever too.
7. How Can I Detect Leukocytes in Urine?
You will pee more frequently. It might even burn when you urinate. A lab test is the most accurate.
