During pregnancy, mucus in the urine: causes, treatment

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

While a woman is expecting a baby, she routinely needs to take urine and blood tests. Thanks to the data obtained, the doctor can monitor the condition of the expectant mother, monitor how the fetus develops. The absence of any deviations and impurities in the urine is a sign of the normal functioning of the kidneys and urinary organs. If mucus appears in the urine during pregnancy, then the woman should understand what such a sign means and what measures should be taken in this case.

What does it mean if there is mucus in the expectant mother's urine?

The entire urinary tract is covered with a mucous membrane consisting of epithelial cells. If the woman's immunity is functioning normally and there is no infection, the epithelium will prevent the toxic effects of urea and will not give the slightest opportunity to be fixed by harmful bacteria.

From this we can conclude that if inurine during pregnancy is mucus, therefore, the urinary system is working on the rejection of a certain part of the epithelium. It is considered normal if the number of cells does not exceed the permissible norm. Such an indicator is usually evaluated according to the system of pluses. The minimum level, that is, the norm, is the density of urine 1010-1025, transparent, without protein, light yellow. The norm of mucus content is indicated by one plus, and the maximum level is indicated by four.

One of the important diagnostic methods is urine analysis. During pregnancy, this study is necessary, because expectant mothers often have mucus in their urine. Why they appear, what they pay attention to and how to deal with it, let's try to figure it out.

Visually or with a microscope?

It is considered normal if the urine contains a fairly small amount of mucus. In some cases, it cannot be found. Mucus in the urine of women during pregnancy often appears due to the fact that there is a rejection of the epithelium from the urinary tract. These cells contribute to the fact that mucus is secreted. Namely, it works as a protection of the urinary system from irritation.

If a person is he althy, mucus will be secreted as much as is necessary to prevent exposure to urea. In addition, mucus will not allow pathogenic microorganisms to cling to the walls of the ureter and bladder (this was already mentioned a little higher).

If the indicator isnormal, it is impossible to visually see the mucus. This can only be done using a microscope. If the result of the analysis shows that the mucus is above the norm, this may indicate that there is some kind of pathological condition in the body of the expectant mother. In addition, in this case, visually in the urine you can see small flakes, white threads.

To determine if there is mucus in the urine during pregnancy and what is its level, a woman is offered to do a general urine test.

Rules to follow

To obtain the most accurate results for determining the level of mucus in the urine, you must follow the simple rules for preparing for the study.

The organs of the reproductive system must be clean. In order to prevent secretions from entering the urine, a cotton swab should be inserted into the vagina before collecting urine.

Urine according to the rules is collected on an empty stomach, in the morning.

First and last urine is skipped and the middle one is collected.

It is necessary to prepare a sterile container for collecting urine or a special container is purchased at the pharmacy.

Before taking the test, you do not need to have sexual contact.

Urine must be submitted for analysis no later than three hours after it was collected.

When a urine test is checked (there is mucus during pregnancy or not, and if so, in what quantities), you should know that an indicator from one to four pluses is considered normal. If the result is a higher level, thenthe doctor will give a referral for a second examination, as well as, if necessary, for additional diagnostic methods. Once the underlying cause is established, the appropriate treatment will be prescribed.

About the reasons for the appearance

The main indicators of urine (their level is subject to research during pregnancy) are leukocytes and protein. In addition, they pay attention to the color of urine and various impurities that can be found in it - mucus, blood, and the like. If there is mucus in the urine, it is considered normal.

This impurity is produced by the mucous organs of the urinary tract on an ongoing basis. When urine is taken for analysis, mucous streaks sometimes enter it with vaginal discharge, but in a small amount.

If mucus is found in the urine during pregnancy, and the volume of its content exceeds normal levels, this means that an inflammatory process develops in some of the organs of the urinary canal. A similar admixture can be found in the excreted fluid if there is a prolonged stagnation of urine in the body or when there are stone-like neoplasms in the kidneys and bladder.

Additional sources of mucus veins in the urine include non-compliance with personal hygiene of the genitals and proper diet (for example, if the expectant mother abuses certain foods). If there is an infection in the urinary tract, then in addition to mucus, an increased level of red blood cells is found in urine, and in some casesstaphylococci may also be present.

Reasons for increased mucus levels

So, mucus appeared in the urine during pregnancy. The reasons for the formation have already been outlined a little higher. Let's talk about the factors that increase the value.

If mucus is found in the urine, this is a sign of inflammation of the kidneys or urinary tract.

Its appearance indicates possible infectious and inflammatory processes taking place in the organs: sexually transmitted diseases (their pathogens are gonococci, trichomonas, chlamydia). In some cases, an increase in mucus occurs if the rules for collecting urine are violated. It also has an effect if urination is delayed for a long time. The explanation for this is as follows: during fluid stagnation, epithelial cells begin to work harder, and this leads to the release of a large amount of mucus.

If bacteria and mucus are found in the urine during pregnancy, this may be evidence of some pathological process or incorrect collection of tests. In this case, the doctor prescribes a second study.

In expectant mothers, starting from the fourth month of pregnancy, due to the fact that the uterus increases, the outflow of urine worsens. This is due to the fact that the ureters and bladder are compressed.

A few more factors

You can highlight more factors that affect the appearance of mucous secretions:

• malnutrition of the expectant mother;
• urinary tract injury;
• hormonal changes occurring in the body of a pregnant woman;
• hypovitaminosis;
• genital hygiene is violated;
• urine collection container not sterile enough;
• neurogenic disorders;
• high cholesterol levels in the body.

Production of mucus can increase due to the fact that a woman wears either low-quality or tight underwear, and urination is quite rare. In addition, mucous secretions also appear as a result of neoplasms in the organs of the genitourinary system.

Is there a danger to the fetus?

So, there is mucus in the urine during pregnancy. What could be the consequences?

In the case when the mucous exudate appears in the urine only for physiological reasons, there is no danger either for the expectant mother or for her baby. But if any inflammatory process of the urinary tract develops, then complications can be as follows: the development of preeclampsia, eclampsia or toxicosis, the risks of miscarriage and placental insufficiency increase.

It is necessary to pay attention to the fact that any of the infections can be transmitted to the baby from the mother's body in a short period of time, especially at an early stage of pregnancy. If the therapy of the underlying disease is not started on time, even intrauterine fetal death can be diagnosed.

About today's treatment

While waiting for a baby, any type of treatment should be approached very carefully, because many drugs can harm not only the expectant mother, but also her baby. As soon as mucous appears in the urinesediment, you should immediately visit a doctor to determine the root cause of such a condition.

A particular danger may be the uncontrolled use of drugs in the first three months of the "interesting situation". After all, it is during this period that the laying of the foundations of all systems and organs of the future person takes place.

If the examination showed that the expectant mother has cystitis, antibacterial agents and uroseptics should be taken. A woman should drink plenty of fluids. Decoctions of diuretic and anti-inflammatory herbs - rose hips, oats and others will come to the rescue.

If pyelonephritis is detected, then antibiotics are needed, which only a doctor can prescribe, assessing the harm and benefit for each pregnant woman individually. Herbal remedies, nalidixic acid will help. In some cases, the therapeutic regimen can be diluted with nitrofuran drugs.

To prevent the appearance of stones and sand, you should follow a special diet. The patient will be prescribed depending on the chemical composition of her stones.

It is advisable not to use products that dissolve formations and split stones using shock wave lithotripsy. After all, while waiting for the baby, these techniques can provoke a miscarriage.

Trying to prevent

To prevent a situation in which mucus appears in the urine during pregnancy, the expectant mother needs to follow just a few recommendations:

• do not lift any heavy objects, do not get stressedand do not overcool;
• obligatory adherence to the prescribed diet;
• do not miss the scheduled ultrasound examinations and scheduled urine collection;
• try to lead an active lifestyle, do special gymnastics;
• if you suddenly have symptoms of trouble, immediately go to the doctor;
• if there is no edematous syndrome, drink as much liquid as possible;
• eat right, excluding fatty foods, the menu should have a significant amount of fresh vegetables and fruits;
• never endure and empty the bladder as soon as it is full.

The most competent approach to the birth of a he althy baby is pregnancy planning. Doctors recommend another six months, or even earlier, to go through all the studies and pass the recommended tests. If any pathology is found, especially in the urinary tract, it is imperative that preventive and therapeutic measures be taken.