Has your urine has become cloudy lately? Should you be worried about your unborn baby?
When pregnant, most of us watch our bodies for any unusual changes, so cloudy urine during pregnancy can be enough to freak out an expectant mom.
Having experienced this ourselves, we decided to dive into the facts to determine if cloudy urine is a concern or just a normal part of a healthy pregnancy. What we found was encouraging. We’re sharing our findings here, so you can have one less thing to worry about during your pregnancy.
Key Takeaways
- Cloudy urine during pregnancy is a common concern for expectant mothers.
- Pregnancy hormones, hydration, urinary tract infections, and too much protein in the urine can all cause cloudy urine during pregnancy.
- Pregnancy hormones are likely the most common cause of cloudy urine and should pass by the second trimester.
- Urinary tract infections should be treated as soon as possible, and too much protein in the urine can signal a dangerous condition called preeclampsia.
Is Cloudy Urine in Pregnancy Common?
You’re not alone in your worries about cloudy urine during pregnancy — it’s a common concern for pregnant women. As several factors can cause cloudy urine, especially during pregnancy, most pregnant women experience it at one time or another.
Causes of Cloudy Urine During Pregnancy
Out of the many causes of cloudy urine during pregnancy, most aren’t a reason for alarm. But some may warrant a trip to the doctor.
It’s okay to take a little while to figure out at home what might be causing your cloudy urine. But if you notice any other symptoms, you should call your doctor immediately. Even if it turns out to be nothing, your doctor should be kept in the loop.
Let’s look at some of the potential causes of your problem.
Pregnancy Hormones
When you first suspected you were pregnant, you likely peed on a pregnancy test stick to find out for sure. Those tests measure the Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) levels in your urine. This hormone is produced in pregnancy, and for the first trimester, its level increases quickly.
The Most Likely Cause
If you see cloudy urine during the first trimester of your pregnancy, mention it to your health practitioner at your next prenatal appointment. They may want to rule out other causes, but breathe easy; it could be as harmless as pregnancy hormones.
Hydration
If you aren’t drinking enough water, you may notice cloudy urine. In addition to cloudiness, your pee will also be darker in color.
If you notice both cloudiness and a dark color when trying to judge how healthy your urine looks, drink a big glass of water. Then check later in the day if it has improved things.
Urinary Tract Infections
Urinary tract infections are a common problem for women, especially during pregnancy. You’ll have a higher chance of getting one between weeks 6 and 24 of your pregnancy because your growing uterus can stop you from fully emptying your bladder.
If you have pain or burning while peeing or feel like you have to pee more frequently, you can suspect a UTI. Other symptoms may include chills, fever, or cramping in the low abdomen (1).
If you suspect a UTI, get into your OB’s office for an examination as soon as possible. They’ll test your urine, and if you do have a UTI, give you a course of antibiotics.
Too Much Protein in Your Urine
Another cause of cloudy urine is protein — especially during the later stages of pregnancy, anywhere from four to nine months.
Sometimes, excess protein in your urine can signal preeclampsia, a dangerous condition for you and your baby. It can cause severe consequences like kidney damage and elevated blood pressure, and it can even be life-threatening (2).
If you are leaving a urine sample at each OB appointment, your OB provider is likely checking your urine for protein. They will keep close tabs on you if you have too much protein in your urine to ensure you aren’t developing preeclampsia. If you’re concerned your cloudy-looking urine could be preeclampsia, look for other symptoms and discuss with your doctor.
One sign is swelling in your hands, face, or feet. Another common sign is sudden excessive weight gain. The sudden weight gain is usually caused by your body retaining extra fluid.
Take Note
Diet Changes
Pregnant women are often at the mercy of their food cravings. When I was pregnant, I wanted chocolate and french fries all the time, but I didn’t let myself eat them at every meal, although I would have liked to.
Sometimes, you crave a certain food and want to eat nothing else for a day or two straight.
Keep In Mind
If you think your diet could be causing your cloudy urine, try eating healthy consistently, and see if it goes away.
Gonorrhea
You might not want to think about this one, but pregnancy doesn’t make you immune to sexually transmitted diseases. Gonorrhea is one of those diseases that can make your urine cloudy.
Unfortunately, this disease is on the rise in the U.S., with over 580,000 million people diagnosed in 2019 (3).
Gonorrhea can be treated with antibiotics, but if you don’t seek treatment when you have a suspected case, it can cause serious consequences for you and your baby. Signs you may be fighting gonorrhea include painful urination and a lot of vaginal discharge. Unfortunately, gonorrhea and other STDs can have no symptoms at all. Make sure you get regular prenatal care and vocalize any concerns about unsafe sex to your OB provider.
Vitamin Overload
Both you and your baby can benefit from prenatal vitamins and other supplements during pregnancy.
Usually, those vitamins give you neon yellow urine, but it’s also possible they could make your urine appear cloudy. The two biggest culprits are vitamin C and vitamin B.
How Quickly Should I Act?
Better Safe Than Sorry
Some moms-to-be don’t like to call when they’re worried about something because they’re afraid to feel ridiculous if it turns out to be nothing. They may also worry about missing more time at work to attend yet another pregnancy appointment.
I used to feel the same way, but I had to remind myself I was now responsible for two people; I couldn’t dismiss any concerns.
So, if you’re concerned about cloudy urine, call your medical practitioner, and let them sort it out for you.
Cloudy Urine During Pregnancy FAQs
Does Cloudy Urine Mean Diabetes?
Cloudy urine is not a specific symptom of diabetes. But frequent urination and increased thirst are common symptoms of diabetes. If you’re experiencing these along with cloudy urine, it’s better to have a chat with a healthcare provider.
Does Yeast Infection Cause Cloudy Urine?
A yeast infection doesn’t typically cause cloudy urine. But a urinary tract infection (UTI), which presents different symptoms and requires different treatment than a yeast infection, can cause cloudy urine.
If you have cloudy urine along with other symptoms like frequent urination, pain during urination, fever, or lower abdominal pain, you should consult your healthcare provider.
What Foods Cause Cloudy Urine?
Certain foods and vitamins, such as B vitamins and foods high in phosphate (like asparagus), can sometimes cause cloudy or frothy urine.
But cloudy urine can also be caused by other factors like dehydration, urinary tract infections, or kidney problems. If you’re consistently experiencing cloudy urine, seeing a healthcare provider is best.
Will Cloudy Urine Go Away?
Cloudy urine may go away on its own if it’s due to benign causes like certain foods or mild dehydration. Drinking more water can often help in such cases.
But if it’s due to an underlying condition like a urinary tract infection or kidney problem, medical treatment may be necessary. Always schedule a talk with your family doctor if you have concerns about your health.
Keeping It Together
It can be hard to keep your composure when you notice concerning changes, like cloudy urine. But you’ve made it this far, and if you pay close attention to your body’s signs, you’ll be fine.
Cloudy urine is common during pregnancy and can be the result of a variety of things. Some of these, like pregnancy hormones, diet changes, and dehydration, are fairly harmless and can be rectified at home. Others, like gonorrhea, a UTI, or too much protein, may require a visit to your doctor.
Watch out for other symptoms like pain or burning during urination, sudden excessive weight gain, swelling of the face or limbs, and excessive vaginal discharge. Never be afraid to call your doctor if you feel concerned about the state of your urine. After all, it can be a crystal ball for your pregnancy health.
