During pregnancy your body goes through so many different changes that it’s easy become complacent about it. However, if yout urine changes color then you might become aware. In this post we look at if cloudy urine during pregnancy is something to worry about.
There’s a good reason that you’ll often be asked to provide a sample every time you visit your doctor during your pregnancy, your urine is one of the most effective methods of understanding how baby is progressing during your pregnancy.
During your pregnancy, your pee can change color (especially if you’re taking a prenatal vitamin) but if you suddenly find that your urine has become cloudy then you might be freaking out – don’t worry though, we’re here to help.
Is Cloudy Urine In Pregnancy Common?
During pregnancy, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that you’re alone and that everything that happens is unique to you.
Well the good news is that you’re not alone.
Cloudy urine during pregnancy is extremely common, very normal and isn’t normally a sign of anything being wrong.
Causes of Cloudy Urine
Cloudy urine during pregnancy is quite common and there are a number of different causes. While most are fine, there are a few that when combined with other symptoms probably should act as a sign that you need to visit the doctor.
Pregnancy Hormones
Remember when you peed on the test to see if you were pregnant?
Well that sample was packed with pregnancy hormones, namely Human Chronic Gonadotropin (HCG) which is produced during the first trimester of pregnancy.
If you experience cloudy urine during the first trimester, you might just want to mention it to your Doctor or health care practitioner. It’s likely nothing but it’s better to get it checked by someone qualified.
Hydration
Another extremely common cause of cloudy urine is less about baby and more about you.
Poor hydration!
If you haven’t been drinking enough water, you may notice that your pee is darker and cloudier than usual.
To see if this is normal or something that you need to speak to a medical professional about simply drink a pint of water and check the color and cloudiness next time you go to the bathroom.
If it’s poor hydration, you’ll notice that your pee is back to normal.
UTI
Urinary tract infections are especially common during pregnancy.
Between weeks 6 to 24 your uterus grows which can prevent you from fully emptying your bladder, making it a prime time for a UTI to develop.
How Do I Know If I Have A UTI During Pregnancy?
The most common symptoms of a UTI during pregnancy are:
- Pain or burning while peeing
- Needing to use the bathroom more often
- Chills
- Fever
- Cramping in the lower abdomen
If you think that you’ve got a UTI then make sure you book an appointment to see your Doctor as soon as you can. The doctor or nurse will test your urine and if you do have a urinary tract infection they’ve give you a course of antibiotics.
Protein
If you’re in the second or third trimester, there’s a chance that your cloudy urine is being caused by the protein.
This is one that you want to watch out for.
Excess protein in your urine can often be a symptom of preeclampsia and can be harmful to both you and your baby.
Left untreated, preeclampsia can cause kidney damage, send your blood pressure sky high and even be life-threatening.
Don’t chance it, make an appointment to see your doctor especially if you notice some of the other symptoms such as:
- Swelling of the hands, feet or face
- Excessive weight gain over the course of a week
- Fluid retention making you feel bloated
Food
This one is a little less common but those cravings that cause you to indulge in certain foods can sometimes lead to cloudy urine.
Gonorrhoea
Just because you’re pregnant doesn’t mean you can’t pick up a sexually transmitted disease.
Gonorrhea is a particularly common STD that also causes your urine to become cloudy.
If you suspect that this is the case, you need to see your doctor immediately as while it’s easy to treat with antibiotics, left untreated, the consequences can be serious for you and your baby.
How Quickly Should I See The Doctor About Cloudy Pee?
There’s this tenancy to always “give it chance” when pregnant as nobody wants to feel like a hypochondriac.
Just remember that it’s not just about you anymore.
If you suspect anything’s wrong, you’re better safe than sorry. Make an appointment with your doctor as soon as you can. Even if there’s nothing wrong, you certainly won’t be the first momma to go in with suspected symptoms.
The Bottom Line
While there are a number of factors that can cause cloudy urine during pregnancy if you’re in any doubt about whether or not you should see your doctor always er on the side of caution and book an appointment.
Ellen Fetters
Ellen Fetters, is a former Children's and Young People's Nursing Practice with an BSc from the University of Sunderland. After completing her SCPHN - HV she then worked as a Health Visitor within the local community.
In 2017 Ellen left nursing to launch Parenting Click, an online parenting resource aimed at creating happier families through better parenting.
She lives with her husband, beautiful baby girl, and two darling dogs. She spends her free time writing, running and learning how to become a better parent.