Protein in urine

[Jurassiclover]

Hey guys,

Just wondering if anyone has been through similar. I had a scan yesterday and gave a urine sample while there. Today the midwives called and said I had high protein in my urine and needed to go in ASAP to have blood taken.

When I googled protein in urine it all points to pre-eclampsia but yesterday I had my BP checked and it was 128/80 so not high as far as I know.

I dont really understand what the blood test is for, when I asked the hospital today whilst there they said "oh just to check your placenta" and didn't really explain so just a bit confused.

Anyone had similar? What was the outcome? Or does anyone know what they'd be checking for in regards to the placenta? I'm 28 weeks at the moment.

Thanks guys

Hey.
As you said, protein in your urine can indicate pre eclampsia. However, they will confirm protein levels by taking a blood test. Even though your blood pressure wasn’t raised and you may have no other signs of pre eclampsia, it’s the protein levels in your urine/ blood test that are the
main indication of pre eclampsia.

I had pre eclampsia in my last pregnancy but very mild and all happened around 35 weeks. It started with a raised BP level and then on urine dip and blood tests my protein levels were raised too.
It’s definitely good to get checked out and fingers crossed it’s just a bit of contamination in your sample and your blood test is stable. Not sure about the placenta checking as I didn’t have anything discussed about that. I hope you get your results back soon.

The first sign for me of pre eclampsia was protein in my urine, it’s a key indicator. I don’t know what they are looking for in the placenta, not heard that before.

@Humpty11 oh I see, I thought you would have to have high blood pressure alongside the protein! Yeah the placenta thing threw me off too, I wish I'd asked more questions but I was too stressed haha!

@Bluntness100 yeah no clue with the placenta either, very strange!

The hospital have called and said bloods were fine so all good for now, they just want to repeat urine etc next week just to check so hopefully all is good!

I’m glad all was okay with your results! Hopefully it was just a bit of contamination, at least they’re keeping an eye on you as well though.

In Pre eclampsia the placenta starts failing, that’s why even nearlyterm babies are small.

The bloods are to check liver and kidney function, not protein in the blood. It’s protein leaking into the urine from the kidneys that is an indicator of the kidneys struggling,

They will start keeping a close eye on you now - how far along are you? Watch for headaches/flashing lights or heartburn that doesn’t go.

@Bunnyfuller baby actually is measuring a bit smaller, so that makes sense actually. Ah I see, that makes sense, thank you! I'm 28 weeks at the moment. I had flashing lights a few days back and did mention it to the consultant I saw who said "if it was pre-eclampsia the symptoms wouldn't go away. Since the flashing lights only happened for a brief time and went away I doubt you have it." ... not reassuring at all!

Not reassuring and not accurate. My pre eclampsia wobbled around for a good while, slowly but steadily getting worse, until even I noticed my bump was smaller one day, and they scanned and found low fluid. Y daughter was 4lb 11oz at 38 weeks. Placenta came out in rags, disintegrated as they touched it.

My flashing lights came and went and it was like Star Wars lasers in my peripheral vision!

Good luck xx

@Bunnyfuller yeah thats what I thought too. I don't even have a midwife of my own either, I've seen a different one each time so I don't even have much of a point of contact... pregnancy is so stressful! My goodness that must have been scary! Hope your little one was okay!

I've only had the flashing lights once so far, but have had a few headaches.

Thank you!xx

My little one is 16 now and just done her last day at secondary school!

Yes pregnancy can be very stressful, just watch how you’re feeling and be pushy if you have to. Headaches were my first symptom, had them for 2w before the protein crept up.

Glad your bloods were ok. As others have said, they'd have been checking your liver and kidney function.

As a reassurance, pre-eclampsia babies aren't always small. Born at 37+1, DD was 7lb5oz at birth. The average size of a 40 week girl. Never once had any worries about growth. I never saw my placenta, but I was told it was fine. Pre-eclampsia wasn't picked up until 36 weeks, but my midwife suspected it had been bubbling away for a while undetected, as my BP had been creeping up at every appointment. In retrospect, the high uterine artery doppler at the 20 week scan was also a big clue. DD and I were, and still are, perfectly fine.

Hope the rest of your pregnancy goes smoothly.

@Bunnyfuller aw I'm so glad she was okay!

Yeah definitely! I need to work on being more pushy and assertive I think!

@Dyra that is actually very reassuring, thank you! I'm glad all seemed to work out okay for you. Hoping it'll be the same for myself! Thank you