Many women spend their pregnancies regularly dashing to the bathroom. Changing hormone levels and the baby's position in the uterus can cause side effects like frequent urination and urine leakage. These issues may be unpleasant, but they're often normal pregnancy symptoms [1]. However, protein in urine during pregnancycan be a sign of a dangerous condition called preeclampsia.
What Is Preeclampsia?
Preeclampsia occurs when a pregnant woman develops hypertension — or high blood pressure — after the 20th week of pregnancy or after giving birth. This condition affects an estimated 3% to 7% of pregnancies [2].
In severe cases, preeclampsia can lead to other dangerous health conditions in pregnant women. For example, mothers can develop kidney disease, experience seizures, and have lung fluid buildup[2].
Additionally, preeclampsia may have long-term effects on unborn babies and infants. This condition causes babies to grow at slower rates in the womb and increases the risk of premature birth. Research also suggests that preeclampsia could have lasting effects on babies’ cardiovascular and neurological health[3].
Causes and Risk Factors for Preeclampsia
Medical professionals don’t fully understand the causes of preeclampsia. However, you may be more likely to develop this condition if you’re[2]:
- 35 or older
- African American
- Pregnant for the first time
- Pregnant with multiples
- From a family with a history of preeclampsia
- Obese
You may also be at risk of preeclampsia if you have a history of diabetes, hypertension, kidney disease, or thyroid disease [2].
Symptoms of Preeclampsia
One of the top signs of preeclampsia is a high level of protein in urine while pregnant. The medical term for this condition is proteinuria, and common symptoms include [4]:
- Frothy urine
- Puffy eyes
- Nausea or vomiting
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Swollen hands, feet, or ankles
Proteinuria in pregnancy occurs when preeclampsia disrupts the function of the kidneys, which help process proteins and remove waste from the body[2].
Other symptoms of severe preeclampsia include[2]
- Difficulty breathing
- Infrequent urination
- Lightheadedness
- Pain on the right side of the abdomen or in the right shoulder
- Vision changes
Consult your healthcare provider immediately if you notice protein in your urine or other indications of preeclampsia.
Treatment for Preeclampsia
Treatment for preeclampsia varies depending on the severity of the condition and the gestational stage. However, delivering the baby and placenta is the best way to resolve this disorder [2].
Women with mild preeclampsia can often manage the condition at home under close medical supervision until they’re ready to deliver. Doctors may prescribe medications to lower blood pressure and steroid injections to help the baby’s lungs grow more quickly[2].
Severe preeclampsia prevents unborn babies from getting enough blood and oxygen and hinders their growth. As a result, healthcare providers typically recommend that women deliver their babies early to protect their health. Doctors may perform a cesarian section or give the women medications to induce early labor [2].
Lifestyle Changes for Preeclampsia
There’s no 100% proven method to avoid preeclampsia during pregnancy. However, research suggests healthy lifestyle changes may help prevent or manage this condition in high-risk women.
Tactics that may have a positive effect on blood pressure during pregnancy include [5]:
- Eliminating alcohol and caffeinated drinks during pregnancy
- Eating a diet rich in antioxidants, fruits, vegetables, and vegetable oils
- Avoiding salty foods
- Performing prenatal yoga
- Practicing self-care, such as taking bubble baths and spending time on hobbies
- Reducing stress from work
- Taking calcium, folic acid, and iron supplements
- Staying physically active
- Using a low dose of aspirin before or during the 16th week of pregnancy
Maintaining a healthy weight before and during pregnancy also decreases the risk of pregnancy-induced hypertension [5].
Climate may also play a role in preventing preeclampsia. Research suggests that this condition develops more frequently during cold seasons, so women could try to time their pregnancy strategically [5]. You can learn more about how to manage protein in this blog.
Detect Preeclampsia with Test Strips for Protein in Urine
Even the healthiest pregnancies can drastically alter your body and cause troubling symptoms. You may wonder if your achy back and swollen ankles are typical symptoms of pregnancy or red flags indicating a risky medical condition.
Fortunately, a home test for protein in urine makes it easier to detect signs of preeclampsia. Diagnox’s Urinox-10 protein in urine test strips allow you to conduct 24-hour urine protein preeclampsia monitoring. Also, each test kit comes with a 24-hour urine preeclampsia protein levels chart. You can track how your urine changes throughout the day and use the chart to see if you have abnormal protein levels.
Safeguard your and your baby's health today with Diagnox’s affordable at-home urine monitoring test strips.
