Midwife and my urine sample!

[NoTeaForMe]

I had my 16 week midwife appointment this week. The midwife was very nice, no regular one, all was fine at the appointment. She tested my urine and said all was fine. I've just read my notes and she has put 'trace leu'. Why did she tell me all was fine when there's something, however small, to note? We talked about the fact that I've been having headaches and dizziness, she assured me that wasn't a problem and just 'a symptom of pregnancy!' However could the leu give headaches? That's probably a stupid question but I have no idea!

I think trace leu is 'trace leucocytes' - e.g., what you get in your wee when you have a urine infection. But sometimes there are traces when you don't have a urine infection too :)

Leu are leukocytes, white blood cells. In tiny amounts they can appear in healthy urine but can also be a sign of a uti.

If she asked if you were fine, no uti or uti symptoms and you told her you are feeling fine. then she's just obliged to note it, just to keep an eye on it.

I wouldn't worry, if she had said you have trace leukocytes, would you be any the wiser?

I've had "trace leu" in my notes the past couple of times I've had my urine tested, but no other symptoms so all is ok.

Hope that helps

No I don't think your urine result has anything to do with your symptoms. Leu is short for Leucocytes (white blood cells) . It is very common to have a few white blood cells in your urine and usually doesn't signify a problem.

If your dipstick showed lots of white blood cells in your urine it could be a sign of infection but you would also expect other abnormal results on the dipstick (ie nitrites and red blood cells).

Why don't you give them a ring? I'm sure they wouldn't mind.

Sorry for major cross posting!

How's your bp? I had trouble with dizziness in the 2nd trimester when my bp dipped a bit and found that eating little and often helped. Be careful with going from being warm to cold ie in and out of the bath/shower and going into shops from being outside. I found wearing a few thin layers was better than anything big and bulky as I could strip layers as and when necessary. Don't lie on your back either and stand up slowly.

Are you drinking enough too as that's a cause of headaches in pregnancy.

Agree with others, the trace leuc is nowt to worry about. Any symptoms of a uti and get rechecked but it usually isn't of concern.

Thanks for all your advice.

I know it doesn't necessarily mean anything but seems to weird to say one thing and write another.

ISee bp was checked and all was fine, iron levels were high at booking in bloods so she said she'd be very surprised of they had dropped significantly. Advice was to look after myself, eat well and drink lots!

But what she said is true. You're fine, urine sample fine. The thing is, we carry our medical notes with us when pregnant because of the nature of the condition and the need to have them to hand at ongoing appointments. But they're not meant for us, they're meant for our caregivers. So ordinarily you wouldn't even see the breakdown of an analysis like a urine sample, you'd be told 'all fine' and the info entered on an electronic record and you'd think no more of it.

I have a low bp anyway but during your 2nd trimester it often dips slightly. Mine went from 90/60 at booking to 80/50 at 16 weeks and it just meant I felt a bit dizzy here and there. You're growing a whole other person, it is a bit of a demand on your body. Eat well, rest well and try not to worry.

OP 'trace leu' is totally normal, so she was being honest (but not over complicating things) when she said 'all is fine'! I had it last time I went in too.

Can I gently suggest that you completely lower your expectations as to what you will be told throughout pregnancy.

Unless theres serious cause for concern you wont be told much.

She told you it was fine because it was. Trace means nothing so she was right. Good luck with your pregnancy.

Thanks all, good point ISee , you're right I wouldn't normally read these things!

domesticgoddess this is my second pregnancy, so I know there's many times you don't get full information. Last time I was told different things by every person I saw, about GBS, and getting the baby checked for reduced movements. So I guess I want to make sure I know what's going on! But you're right I don't need to worry about little things. I wasn't worried as such, just wanted to check!