Cloudy urine during pregnancy is mostly harmless, which is often caused due to hormonal changes and dietary modifications. However, medical intervention is necessary for some cases of cloudy urine during early and late pregnancy. This article provides information regarding the same.
Since the day a woman conceives a baby, certain physical and mental symptoms are exhibited until childbirth. Change in urine appearance is a common observation, which concerns many expecting women worldwide. Fortunately, the causes of cloudy urine are temporary and harmless in most cases. However, if the alterations in normal urine color and odor are observed for several days, they should not be neglected at any cost.
Is it Normal to have Turbid Urine during Pregnancy?
A normal urine sample is clear, almost transparent or slight yellowish in color, and odorless. Any changes in these characteristics may indicate an underlying medical problem. The occurrence of cloudy urine during pregnancy is concerned normal if the change in urine color is not associated with any health problems. For most cases, the causal factor is the food intake, and prompt results are achieved after eliminating the trigger foods from diet.
In another case, cloudy urine with odor and frequent urination may be warning signs of infection in the bladder and urinary tract. As per medical data, approximately 2-4 % pregnant women experience urinary tract infection (UTI). Hence, getting the condition checked by a trusted doctor at the earliest possible date is imperative. Notable symptoms of UTI are burning sensation and pain at the time of urination, mucus in urine, abdominal discomfort, and pain in the pelvic region.
What Causes Turbid Urine during Pregnancy?
Most of the symptoms accompanied with pregnancy result due to hormonal fluctuations brought about by conception. Likewise, cloudy urine during gestation is partly caused as a consequence of hormonal changes in the body. Dietary modifications along with alterations in hormone levels are the major reasons behind this condition.
Having a large meal just before going to bed is a common reason for turbidity in the next day’s urine sample. It is the increased phosphate crystals generated after digesting the foods, which result in urine cloudiness. This is a temporary condition, which can be ignored. Most probably, the normal urine color gets restored within the next two days.
In addition to the serving size, the types of foods consumed during pregnancy are also responsible for the production of turbid urine. Some foods which trigger this condition are milk and dairy products, beet, asparagus, orange juice, and berries. When these food items break down, they buildup phosphate crystals which are expelled in urine causing a cloudy appearance.
Another cause is the contamination of vaginal discharge in the urine. Odor-free vaginal discharge having a normal color is a healthy sign, whereas smelly and discolored vaginal secretion that gets mixed in urine is a sign of medical concern. Proteinuria, or protein in urine, is also a probable cause for this condition. In fact, excess protein causes cloudy urine during late pregnancy.
Passing dark, cloudy urine is considered as a sign of dehydration. This condition is not restricted to expecting women, but it is a common symptom for lack of bodily fluids in healthy adults too. To overcome dark urine, one should drink ample amounts of water and healthy fluids. Failure to do so exacerbates the problem, resulting in severe medical complications, which in turn are dangerous for both the mother and unborn baby.
Other causes of cloudy urine in pregnant women are food allergies, medication side effects, and sexually transmitted diseases (e.g. gonorrhea). When identified in the early stages, the infections can be treated promptly without any side effects. If the condition persists for more than 2-3 days, seek medical intervention immediately. The doctor will examine the physical symptoms (if any) and medical history along with the diet plan. Based on the present health condition and diagnostic results, appropriate treatment options will be recommended for the patient.
Disclaimer: This HerHaleness article is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.
