Protein in Urine

Hi H.-
I also had protein in my urine when pregnant. I am sure a small amount is normal, but am not sure. I believe I had more than just a small amount. I ended up having pre-eclampsia. Here is an article on protein in urine in pregnant women and pre-eclampsia. You can do your own research online as well. I suggest speaking with your OB to discuss further just to be on the safe side. Good luck!

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/01/050111122343...

Hi H.

The doctors check for protein in your urine because it is a sign of pre-eclampsia. You could develop pre-eclampsia anytime between now and when you go into labor. Your doctors will probably keep monitoring you to see if the level of protein in your urine increases. Pre-eclampsia is basically high blood pressure. The reason it is dangerous is that it could develop into eclampsia, in which you could have debilitation seizures. The good thing is that if you do develop pre-eclampsia, there is a medication that will prevent you from having strokes. I had pre-eclampsia when I gave birth to my daughter (who is now a perfectly healthy one year old). The first time that I had protein in my urine and a slightly elevated BP they gave me a non-stress test. All came back fine. The next check-up I still had protein and a slightly elevated BP. They made me do a 24 hr. urine collection test and still all came back fine. I had a feeling I would develop pre-eclampsia becuase I had some of the other factors fot it which include, being shorter than 5'3", having a history of migraine headaches, if your mother or the father's mother had pre-eclampsia when pregnant with either of you, and a history of high blood pressure. If you have any of these other risk factors or just for your sanity you should discuss your concerns with your doctor. When I went into labor, I did end up with pre-eclampsia. I had very high blood pressure and it kept rising. THe hospital staff kept a close watch on me and before I was ready to give birth they put me on magnesium sulfate which is a medication that prevents you from getting seizures. It is the standard treatment for pre-eclampsia. It makes you feel a little sick and groggy and you can't get out of bed or eat anything for 24 hours, but it keeps you and your baby safe. The baby may also get a little sleepy from the medication. If you do develop pre-eclampsia and are not opposed to pain medication, I suggest having an epidural. When your blood pressure is high you will be required to stay in bed on your back to try to keep your BP low. This can be uncomfortable during contractions. THe epidural allowed me to relax and sleep through most of my labor. Epidurals also lower your blood pressure. I may not have had the exact kind of labor I wanted but I gave birth to a beautiful and healthy baby girl and encountered no further complications, so even if you do develop pre-eclampsia, you shouldn't be too worried. Chances are you and your baby will be perfectly fine. If you have any additional questions, please feel free to e-mail me. (Also, from everything I have read or been told, you only get pre-eclampsia once, so don't worry about it happening again if you do develop it.)

no need to be worried the doc will keep checking it. i had it for both my pregnancies the color on the stick would be dark green i had alot they just kept a closer eye on me as long as i didnt have major swelling or high blood pressure i was ok. which i didnt, i actually still have it no reason why my kids were fine i deliverd fine, and i am ok. now that i am not prego, i am on medication, most people the protien goes back to normal after having the baby,so take care.
C.

H.,
sometimes if you have a morning checkup and haven't eaten much, or if you drink something sugary like soda or juice before your appointment, you can have protein in your urine. it happened to me once or twice when i was pregnant, but as long as it's not a constant thing, you should be okay. if they start finding it every checkup, then it can be a sign of some thing more serious! good luck.

H.,
They check for protein in your urine because it can be a sign of other complications. If they are not worried about it than its prob. a matter of what you have been eating. Have you tried to research this matter on the internet? The doctor is not worried so try not to worry. If you have other problems let your doctor know.
Everything will be ok!
~J.