White Blood Cells in Urine - How do you handle this?

[Whittliz]

Please tell me if I shouldn't be posting here.....but I really want to know what you do with your clients.

At my 12 week, urine was negative. At 16, I was very positive for WBC's only. At 20 weeks, I had trace WBC's. : I have zero symptoms.

My midwife says that a lot of women throw WBC's and it's not a big deal. It would be a much bigger issue if I tested positive for nitrites and WBC's.

So, here's my question? Could I have an asymptomatic UTI that could negatively affect baby? Or am I having an unrational fear of a UTI causing infection or pre-term labor?

How do you handle this with your clients. TIA!

[kate3]

I'm with your MW on this. I consider WBCs only to be contamination. For trace I would do nothing, for a large amount I would want to double check with a repeat sample.
If a patient was very concerned I would offer to send a clean catch for culture to put her mind at ease.

[nashvillemidwife]

Agreed. WBCs are normal in a regular urine specimen.

[Jane]

As above - I wouldn't consider it a sign of infection.

Another source of WBCs is vaginal secretions in the urine sample.

If you're really worried, you could ask to have a culture sample sent out.

[Whittliz]

Thanks for your opinions. It put my mind at ease.... I'll keep in mind that I do have the option to send to the lab if it were to come back with a large amount.

[nashvillemidwife]

If you're really that concerned you need to be doing clean catches.

[CortLong]

I would think it was a clean catch issue.