How Does Pregnancy Urine Look Like?

Pregnancy and Urine Changes: What’s Normal and What’s Not?

Women embrace pregnancy through many changes to the body, and one noticeable sign can be changes in urine. As per medical records, frequent urination is one of the earliest signs of pregnancy, which causes women to observe differences in their urine.

From colour and clarity to frequency, urine can reveal a lot about your health during pregnancy. Read on to learn more!

Color of Urine During Pregnancy

Urine colour during pregnancy can vary significantly. Due to increased fluid intake during pregnancy, urine often appears lighter than usual. Pregnant individuals are asked to drink more water, which makes the urine dilute. So, it looks pale yellow or has a nearly clear appearance.

However, some women might observe darker urine in early pregnancy. This could be a sign of dehydration or the result of consuming certain foods like beets and asparagus.

Moreover, consuming vitamins and supplements during this period can give urine a brighter yellow shade. As you proceed, the body intensifies its efforts to eliminate all waste products, leading to more frequent urination. This frequent urination also affects the colour of the urine and makes it appear lighter.

Reddish Urine During Pregnancy

Since urine colour can vary widely during this time, a colour change does not mean that something is wrong. However, it is necessary to pay attention when you notice any changes and consult with your doctor. Here, the causes behind reddish urine are explained.

1. Sign of Dehydration

It can happen due to dehydration during pregnancy. As your body needs to provide fluid support to both you and your baby, its demand for fluids increases. It creates a shortage of fluid, which makes the urine more concentrated. For this, women experience a darker or slightly reddish tint whenever urinating.

Positively, staying hydrated is an easy solution. So, increase your water intake, restore normal urine colour and make your pregnancy journey smooth. However, it is advisable to consult your doctor to determine the right amount of fluids you should be consuming daily.

2. Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

A urinary tract infection (UTI) is another potential cause behind the release of reddish urine during pregnancy. Pregnancy-related body changes can promote bacterial growth in the urinary tract. Apart from discolouration, you may notice symptoms like burning during urination, frequent urges, and lower belly pain. Prompt medical attention is crucial in such cases.

3. Kidney Infection

It is considered a less common but more severe possible cause of reddish urine during pregnancy. Kidney infections can come with symptoms including reddish urine, fever, chills, and pain in the lower backside. If you suspect you have a problem related to kidneys, seek medical attention immediately. It can lead to severe complications if left untreated.

Cloudy Urine During Pregnancy

Here are the causes of cloudy urine during pregnancy. The primary factors include dehydration, urinary tract infection (as previously described), preeclampsia, kidney stones and other significant infections.

1. Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is a critical condition that generally arises in the 20th week of pregnancy. This condition affects the liver and kidneys and increases blood pressure significantly. Regular prenatal checkups are essential to diagnose this issue.

In addition, you can opt for urine tests to detect early signs of preeclampsia. In addition to elevated protein in the urine, you might notice cloudiness and reduced urine output.

2. Other Infections

Yeast infections in the vagina are one of the typical issues during pregnancy and can lead to increased discharge. It may make your urine look cloudy. In addition, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including chlamydia and gonorrhoea, can produce discharge that may affect the appearance of urine.

3. Kidney Stones

Although rare, the presence of kidney stones can be the reason behind cloudy urine during pregnancy. These are pieces of solid material made of calcium, oxalate, and phosphorus that form in the kidneys.

The risk of developing this issue may increase if you remain dehydrated quite often, experience frequent UTIs, or have a blockage in the urinary tract.

The good news is that your urine condition( be it reddish or cloudy) during pregnancy is treatable. Since pre-birth care involves regular doctor checkups throughout your pregnancy, your healthcare provider can keep a close eye on you and advise the best suitable treatment plan.