How concerned would you be? (traces in urinalysis)

[greenthumb3]

My midwife has tested my urine at each prenatal and at, like, the last 8 visits, there has been a trace of protein and a trace of leukocytes. I have about 4 weeks left until this baby's due date. I am not sure if this is a problem or not? I have had about 3-4 yeast infections so far (none right now, thank goodness) and if I don't drink enough, I get mild UTI symptoms which go away when I drink more water and herbal tea.

Anyone else dealt with something like this? Suggestions or anything?

[calidarling]

For about half my visits i had trace leukocytes and they were not concerned, said i had a kid and was probably fighting off light things or what have you. Last appointment (36 week) i had the second color on the stick for protein, and they said that they dont worrry about that small amount if there are no other indications of a problem or it occures repeatedly.

sorry about the spelling, have grumpy toddler on lap.

[greenthumb3]

Thanks for your response. That was helpful.

[strawberryfields08]

I am always trace protein throughout pregnancy. Sometimes more sometimes less. I think it is just common for me, maybe for you too.

[MsBlack]

both are perfectly normal in pregnancy. Not to worry!

[nashvillemidwife]

What does your midwife say?

[wholisticmidwife]

Both are very normal and just mean you are pregnant. The immune system is different in pregnancy so you spill a little leuks etc. It is like being concerned that your belly is getting so big! Have a great birth mama!

[rachel65655]

I had slightly elevated leukocytes for my previous two midwife visits. The first time I did have some slight yeast issues going on. I thought it was cleared up but a few days before my next visit, I started having an occasional itchiness. I really didn't have any other symptoms but I treated with something OTC this time instead. The first time I just started taking some acidophilus and the symptoms appeared to go away. My leukocytes again tested high and she gave me some strips to test at home in a few days because I was still using the OTC treatment. I have been fine since.

You might have something of a yeasty nature just cropping up but hasn't really manifested strong symptoms yet.

I have always had a trace of protein in my urine but I am also carrying twins and it is very common to do so.

[mommy2two babes]

I had this with DS but not DD or this one so far.
My MWs were not concerned.

[JamieCatheryn]

Both at the same time I'd take care to prevent UTI's developing, lots of water, lots of cranberry juice. But it may be you're just fighting the ever present germs going around this season, not getting infected with anything.

[greenthumb3]

Originally Posted by nashvillemidwife

What does your midwife say?

Well, she said since it's been so "chronic" I needed to take some different supplements.

My feeling is that unless I have other symptoms, I'd rather NOT worry about this since I am so close to the due date, or start anything new right now.

Everyone, thanks for the further comments. It helps me to feel the support that this is normal.

[rachel65655]

I personally would treat for yeast if I suspected it at all. The baby can get thrush and transfer the yeast infection to your breasts while nursing. If you have never had this happen, be thankful. It is almost more painful that having the baby, IMO. I have had this happen with all 5 of my other children even though I really didn't have any signs of a yeast problem prior to birth or after for that matter.

[greenthumb3]

Ouch, sorry to hear about the thrush, Rachel!

I think I might have had a mild yeast imbalance after our second son was born, but it evened out after a little while, and thanked my lucky stars it was not as bad as I thought (and read) it would/could be.
I know it can be very painful and stressful if it hangs on for many mothers.

I do plan on treating anything I have actual symptoms for before the birth, but I am not worrying too much about the asymptomatic things. I appreciate your concern.

[mwherbs]

so I have had a client who , in her first pregnancy always tested positive for protein and leukocytes - she was not my client at the time but she and her midwife presumptively treated for yeast- but her urine dip never changed- well with her second baby she was my client- and we were getting the same results on the urine dip as with her first pregnancy- so I checked my bottle and they were in date, and she did not have signs or symptoms of yeast or any infection other than increased vaginal fluid-- well we discussed "clean catch" so she rinsed off and then did a mid-stream catch and guess what no protein or leukocytes on the dip we did a 3rd dip that visit just to be sure and it was also clear- what we found was she needed to really rinse off, pat dry and basically do clean catch technique and she did not have any more positive results--- so that would be my first recommendations - be sure that the sticks are in-date#2 do a clean catch if still positive I would want cultures- both vaginal swab and urine-

--- here is pretty much what I recommend-
because we don't use any of the prepackaged wipes nor did we use any betadine- just a soapy wash and clear water rinse-
wipe between the labia with soapy water and rinse well. sometimes what she would do is just take a quick rinse off in the shower- and hop out to collect the urine--

for urine collection first urinate a small amount into the toilet to clear the urethra of any contaminants. Then, collect a sample of urine in a clean container(we used a small paper cup). About 1 - 2 ounces of urine is needed for the test. Remove the container from the urine stream without stopping the flow then finish urinating into the toilet .

[eternamariposa]

I have to second what another post said about taking care to treat the yeast since you are showing tendencies toward yeast issues. Your OP sounds just like me and I am, grumpily, plagued with yeast. I just am someone who is very sensitive, and like a previous post said, "yeasty by nature". Anytime I eat things that my body is sensitive to or have hormonal fluctuations I see it in yeast reactions. I would start taking care to help your body get into a healthy balance now to the best of your ability, not freaking or anything, just trying to learn more and get healthier, so that when your milk comes in and you have the major hormonal shifts associated with birth and establishing a milk supply you don't end up with run a muck thrush.

Healthyself is a great website with a lot of very knowledgeable people who can offer more specific help if you post up your personal history. The yeast connection is also a great book/website for more info on that sort of thing. Definitely worth looking into.

[greenthumb3]

Originally Posted by eternamariposa

Healthyself is a great website with a lot of very knowledgeable people who can offer more specific help if you post up your personal history. The yeast connection is also a great book/website for more info on that sort of thing. Definitely worth looking into.

I am familiar with the Yeast Connection book and forums; I frequented them after my second was born. I def. think yeast can be quite a serious matter for many mothers. Thanks for the reminder--if I end up needing some treatment, I'll be sure to check that out again.

@MWHerbs: WHY did I not consider clean catch before?? That seems so reasonable. I'll talk with my mw and give that a try at my prenatal with her this coming week. I am so glad you mentioned it.

[rachel65655]

My MW just wanted me to go on the little strips...Well I wasn't always getting all the blocks thoroughly wet so now I always do clean catch in a cup now. I used to work in a hospital and it would never had occurred to me to do it another way but MW said it wasn't necessary. Clean catch in really the only proper way to get an accurate urine sample.

[greenthumb3]

And the clean catch has it!

Today, I did a clean catch at the prenatal and, lo and behold, no traces of protein or leukocytes! Yippee.

[mwherbs]