How can I tell if I have a UTI?

[PenguinTuxedo]

I need to wee literally every 5 minutes. I've just sat down to write this after just going, and feel like I need to go again already! I am also having some mild pains/discomfort in the lower part of my stomach.

However, I guess I might just be needing to wee because the baby is on my bladder? (I'm 20 weeks). Also, I had a consultant appointment last Tuesday, and in my notes under my urine sample they put "Pro +, Leu +". I don't know what this means, but if it's a UTI, wouldn't they have picked it up then?

What they wrote in your notes means Protein + Leucocytes + and could indicate the start of a UTI. I would call your GP and organise to get rechecked. Make sure they know you are pregnant too, as uti's in pregnancy if left can irritate your uterus.

Symptoms of UTI are quite difficult in pregnancy as you have a lot of them anyway, they are increased frequency of peeing, pain on passing urine (so burning usually), back pain (on the soft bit below your ribs), urge to pee (then pee very little), you can get pink urine, cloudy urine. You may develop a temperature too if it is left untreated.

In the mean time, avoid caffeine (it aggravates the pain and makes you pee more often as it is a diuretic), avoid fruit juices as they are acidic and can make the UTI worse, avoid sex as bruising can aggravate symptoms, drink lots of water, a couple of glasses of fresh cranberry juice (so from the fridge section) a day, lemon barley water is very alkaline so is good to drink a few glasses a day too. You can take paracetamol if it is very sore, (stick to the rules on the box).

Hope this helps!

Thank you very much for your reply :)

I don't have many of the symptoms tbh. I just need to go all the time, and when I do hardly anything comes out. I also have pains right by my bladder, but that might be growing pains.

I'm so rubbish at detecting UTI's. I have Spina Bifida Occulta, so I used to get UTI's all the time as a child, but never knew about it until my mum realised something was wrong. The only thing I really remember is my wee smelling, it doesn't really smell at the moment so maybe it's just something and nothing. Just a bit concerned cos of the pains.

I have my 20 week scan on Thursday, and they check my urine then, so maybe I'll wait until then. Thanks for your help

I'm only 12 weeks but had the same symptoms as you (needing to per straight after a pee!)

I had to give in a sample at my GPs and was prescribed a week on antibiotics, after they confirmed there was an infection. They took a second sample and sent it to the hospital for tests too but I'm not sure why?!

Everything feels better after the antibiotics. I was a bit anxious about taking them but a uti can be dangerous to the baby so best to get it checked out. I'd call your midwife, I only dealt with GP because I've not had my booking in yet!

I do pee when I go, but it's like a trickle usually