Analysis of urine - standard procedures performed in early pregnancy to diagnose possible infections of the urinary tract that can cause pregnancy complications. An important aspect of this procedure - detecting the presence of leukocytes in urine. White blood cells in the urine during pregnancy may indicate the presence of any infections of the genitourinary system, requiring immediate treatment.

What is leukocytes?

White blood cells, or white blood cells - red blood cells, a protective function in the body. Due to its ability to penetrate the blood vessel walls into the tissues and organs of leukocytes can absorb pathogens of various kinds of infections, whether bacterial infection or fungal infection. In the process of the destruction of pathogens and white blood cells die excreted in the urine. Thus, the presence of leukocytes in urine - is one of the unmistakable signs of any infection. However, leukocytes in urine White blood cells in urine - complications are inevitable   pregnancy are common even without confirmation of the disease, so an accurate diagnosis more frequently used, along with the determination of leukocytes in the urine, a urine additional nitrite, which also may indicate the development of an infection.

How to measure white blood cells in the urine during pregnancy?

The presence and number of leukocytes in urine is determined by standard urine testing for the presence of leukocyte esterase - a breakdown product of white blood cells. The norm for women is considered to be no more than six of leukocytes in the field of view in the study of fluid samples under a microscope. However, pregnant women often exceeded the norm is observed even when the presence of any infection or inflammatory diseases of the genitourinary system is not confirmed. This is due to the body's own mechanism for restructuring the women during pregnancy - a large number of white blood cells accumulate in the lining of the uterus to protect the developing fetus in the uterus from possible infection.

In some cases, a urine sample for the presence of leukocyte esterase or determining the number of white blood cells in urine - the only way to diagnose diseases occurring without definite symptoms. For example, white blood cells in the urine during pregnancy may be the only sign of the so-called asymptomatic or latent, bacteriuria - a dangerous bacterial infection, occurring without distinct symptoms and could lead to the development of pyelonephritis Pyelonephritis - kidney disease , Kidney disease.

The main causes of

The most common cause of white blood cells in the urine during pregnancy are common infections of the urinary tract and bladder - primarily acute or chronic cystitis Chronic cystitis: a correct diagnosis - the main . The indirect cause of this increase in the number of white blood cells in urine - pregnancy: during pregnancy increases the volume of the bladder, and muscle tone, on the contrary, is reduced due to the growing weight of the child. Because of this, there is often incomplete emptying of the bladder, which becomes a medium for rapid bacteria growth. As a result of developing a bladder infection, which causes an increase in the number of white blood cells in the urine.

In the absence of proper treatment of bacterial infections of the urinary tract and bladder Urinary bladder - structure and function   may lead to the development of pyelonephritis - kidney infection, a much more serious disease, which is accompanied by a distinct acute symptoms and is especially dangerous during pregnancy. In some cases, pyelonephritis may even cause premature birth.

Finally, the white blood cells in the urine during pregnancy may be a sign of so-called latent or asymptomatic bacteriuria - a bacterial infection of the urinary tract, the development of which is not accompanied by any distinct symptoms, which can be seen infection. Bacteriuria - a very dangerous disease for pregnant women: according to statistics, a bacterial infection increases the risk of miscarriage and premature birth in two or three times. In many ways it is possible to timely diagnosis of bacteriuria recommended STANDARD urine test for early pregnancy.

Tatiana Smirnova

Liquid discharge during pregnancy

Fluids during pregnancy can occur for various reasons, including be a normal variation. To understand what is normal and what is pathology sometimes quite difficult and then come to the aid of laboratory tests.

Liquid separation after the twelfth week of pregnancy - it's ok

If at first pregnancy allocation was thick and slimy (feedback female sex hormone progesterone), after the 12th week of hormonal changes and with it the nature of the discharge. During this period of pregnancy on a woman's body is strongly influenced by the female sex hormones estrogen, causing the discharge becomes more abundant and liquid. Especially many liquid discharge occurs in late pregnancy. And if these emissions do not cause any discomfort and have no odor, then that's fine.

But the problem is that any allocation are an excellent breeding ground for disease-causing bacteria, so pregnant women should carefully monitor themselves. Twice a day, you should take a warm shower, using washing genitals special gels for pregnant women. Be sure to monitor the cleanliness of the whole body and underwear - it should be changed daily. With copious can use pads (not tampons How to use sanitary pad - basic precautions ! ).

The source of infection could be the mouth, so you need to keep track of your teeth, brush them twice a day and, if necessary, contact the dentist.

Liquid discharge in bacterial vaginosis

Sometimes during pregnancy there are abundant liquid discharge with an unpleasant fishy odor. It's a sign of bacterial vaginosis or vaginal dysbiosis Dysbacteriosis vagina - how to fight? . It can occur in women due to lower immunity and hormonal changes that lead to the proliferation of pathogenic microflora in large quantities.

Bacterial vaginosis is often asymptomatic, but sometimes when it may appear slight burning and itching. Risk of bacterial vaginosis Bacterial vaginosis - sex is not recommended   that at any time (e.g., at an even greater decrease in immunity), he may go in infectious and inflammatory process, so it should be treated.

Treatment of bacterial vaginosis - not an easy task. Appointed by drugs that suppress the growth of opportunistic pathogens and contributes to the restoration of normal vaginal microflora The microflora of the vagina: purity . In addition, prescribed drugs, reducing immunity. Pregnant women are recommended as a healthy lifestyle, good nutrition, the maximum exposure to fresh air.

Liquid separation for various infections

Liquid discharge during pregnancy can occur when infectious and inflammatory diseases, including the genital infections. As you know, many of these diseases occur in women without symptoms. Therefore, it is important to plan pregnancy, during which detected and treated all infectious and pelvic inflammatory disease.

During pregnancy, hormonal changes in the background and a decrease in immunity, infectious and inflammatory diseases may worsen. Thus there are various kinds of selection, including liquid.

For example, an exacerbation of latent gonorrhea appear abundant liquid discharge yellow-green color, which indicate the presence of inflammatory processes. In chronic trichomoniasis, which often occurs in women without symptoms during an exacerbation there are abundant liquid frothy yellow. All genital infections, usually accompanied by severe itching and a burning sensation in the genital area, and sometimes - in violation of urination.

Infectious-inflammatory diseases of the genital organs during pregnancy can and must be treated, otherwise suffer herself pregnant woman and the fetus. Treatment of genital infections running - not an easy task even for a doctor, so pregnant women in any case should not be doing this alone.

Despite the difficulties, to treat infection is still possible for this purpose developed a special treatment regimen, which are used in certain stages of pregnancy. For the treatment of pregnant women apply only thoroughly tested drugs that do not cause complications in the fetus. All treatment is controlled by laboratory tests.