During pregnancy, many of the bodys functions change, including urination.
Changes in urine can tell you whether youre pregnant and alert you to health issues during pregnancy.
HCG levels increase quickly and peak within the first trimester, after which they will declining slightly.
Your healthcare professional can also test for hCG using a blood test to confirm pregnancy status.
HCG levels are measured in milli-international units per milliliter (mIU/ml), which increase as pregnancy progresses.
If youre not pregnant, the HCG reading will be less than 5 mIU/ml.
The expected HCG level is based on the length of the pregnancy.
After a pregnancy loss, it takes roughly four to six weeks for hCG levels to return to normal.
As the fetus grows, the uterus begins to press on the bladder, making it smaller in size.
Its also normal for some urine to leak when you sneeze, cough, or laugh.
Common Changes in Urine During Pregnancy
Thecolor and smell of your urinecan change when youre pregnant.
When you become pregnant, your hormones may cause urine odor to change.
But a strong urine odor may also indicate a urinary tract infection, per theACOG.
Blood may show up in your urine due to vaginal bleeding.
If you notice this at any time during your pregnancy, contact your doctor, per the ACOG.
Women may also experience light bleeding after sex, an internal exam, or a pap smear.
Vaginal bleeding can also be a sign of an infection of thevaginaor cervix, according to theACOG.
UTIs happen whenbacteriaenter the urethra and infect the bladder, ureters, or the kidneys.
Because muscle-relaxing hormones increase during pregnancy, bacteria have an easier time entering the urinary tract.
Another common symptom is feeling the need to urinate again soon after the last bathroom trip.
Call your healthcare provider if you see blood in your urine.
While it may be sparked by a UTI, it also may be sparked by other conditions.
Untreated, GBS can spread to infants during delivery and cause group B strep disease in newborns.
Urine tests also measure protein content.
Other potential signs of preeclampsia may include headache, edema, nausea, and vomiting.
Your healthcare provider will flag these findings for you.
Large amounts of sugar in the urine may signify gestational diabetes, which typically develops in the second trimester.
According toMayo Clinic, women with gestational diabetes are usually asymptomatic.
She completed her residency in obstetrics and gynecology at the SUNY Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York.
She is currently working on her PhD in medical sociology.
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