protein in urine, what does this mean?

[booyhoo]

twice now my urine has shown traces of protein in it. my blood pressure isnt high so the midwife says she doesnt suspect pre eclampsia. they have sent the second sample to a lab.

can anyone explain
a) what they are looking for?
b) what causes there to be protein.

one midwife said that if i wasnt pregnant then protein in urine would mean an infection but because im pregnant it is just the baby. is this normal?

Hey,
It might be a urine infection. I am 19 weeks pg, but at mt 16 week appt i had protein in my urine and got some antibiotics to clear up an infection. They didn't give me them untill one week later though after the results came back.

the first time i showd protein was about 29 weeks but they didnt offer antibiotics. i then tested negative for protein a week later. but had 35 week appt on wed and showed positive again. no mention of antibiotics. they just said they were sending it to the lab which they also did with 1st positive sample.

I've had varying amounts of protein since 12 weeks. I'm now nearly 37 weeks. Despite antibiotics, regular lab analysis, no reason for it has been found and it is still there.

did they ever give you any suggestions as to what causes it llareggub?. my midwives dont seem at all concerned. it was my gp who mentioned pre eclampsia but ruled it out so far as blood pressure is low not high.

ive just read my question and realised you already answered it llareggub doh!!!

My consultant wasn't concerned at all. He wasn't concerned so I didn't pursue it. Best to keep an eye though, as with other symptoms it can be an indicator of PE or an infection. Have they sent your sample off for analysis?

yes but like yours, didnt seem concerned.

A trace of protein is v little and may be nothing or the sign of a mild infection

During my first pregnancy I had +1 protein from 22 weeks then it became +2 at 36 weeks and my BP suddenley shot up and it was pre-eclampsia

During my second pregnancy I had +1 protein at every test from 10 weeks. No other symptoms developed and I was fine throughout. As soon as baby arrived protein disappeared. Apparantly some people just get leaky kidneys in pregnancy.