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Preeclampsia and Protein in Urine

Cheryl Whitten
Cheryl Whitten
June 25, 2023
•
3
min read
Technically reviewed by: 
Adele Morris
Preeclampsia and Protein in Urine
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Many women spend their pregnancies regularly dashing to the bathroom. Changing hormone levels and the baby's position in the uterus can cause side effects like frequent urination and urine leakage. These issues may be unpleasant, but they're often normal pregnancy symptoms [1]. However, protein in urine during pregnancy can be a sign of a dangerous condition called preeclampsia.

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What Is Preeclampsia?

Preeclampsia occurs when a pregnant woman develops hypertension — or high blood pressure — after the 20th week of pregnancy or after giving birth. This condition affects an estimated 3% to 7% of pregnancies [2].

In severe cases, preeclampsia can lead to other dangerous health conditions in pregnant women. For example, mothers can develop kidney disease, experience seizures, and have lung fluid buildup[2].

Additionally, preeclampsia may have long-term effects on unborn babies and infants. This condition causes babies to grow at slower rates in the womb and increases the risk of premature birth. Research also suggests that preeclampsia could have lasting effects on babies’ cardiovascular and neurological health[3].

Preeclampsia in pregnant women with hypertension causes high blood pressure, swelling, headaches, vision changes, and abdominal pain. Urgent medical attention is vital for both mother and baby.
Preeclampsia in pregnant women with hypertension causes high blood pressure, swelling, headaches, vision changes, and abdominal pain. Urgent medical attention is vital for both mother and baby.

Causes and Risk Factors for Preeclampsia

Medical professionals don’t fully understand the causes of preeclampsia. However, you may be more likely to develop this condition if you’re[2]:

  • 35 or older
  • African American
  • Pregnant for the first time
  • Pregnant with multiples
  • From a family with a history of preeclampsia
  • Obese

You may also be at risk of preeclampsia if you have a history of diabetes, hypertension, kidney disease, or thyroid disease [2].

Preeclampsia is most likely to occur in women who are of African American, obese, aged 35 or above, diabetic, pregnant for the first time, pregnant with multiples, and have a family history of preeclampsia.
Preeclampsia is most likely to occur in women who are of African American, obese, aged 35 or above, diabetic, pregnant for the first time, pregnant with multiples, and have a family history of preeclampsia.

Symptoms of Preeclampsia

One of the top signs of preeclampsia is a high level of protein in urine while pregnant. The medical term for this condition is proteinuria, and common symptoms include [4]:

Preeclampsia symptoms include frothy urine, nausea or vomiting, fatigue, loss of appetite, swollen hands, feet, or ankles, and abdominal pain, which require urgent medical attention.
Preeclampsia symptoms include frothy urine, nausea or vomiting, fatigue, loss of appetite, swollen hands, feet, or ankles, and abdominal pain, which require urgent medical attention.

Proteinuria in pregnancy occurs when preeclampsia disrupts the function of the kidneys, which help process proteins and remove waste from the body[2].

Other symptoms of severe preeclampsia include[2]

  • Difficulty breathing
  • Infrequent urination
  • Lightheadedness
  • Pain on the right side of the abdomen or in the right shoulder
  • Vision changes

Consult your healthcare provider immediately if you notice protein in your urine or other indications of preeclampsia.

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Treatment for Preeclampsia

Treatment for preeclampsia varies depending on the severity of the condition and the gestational stage. However, delivering the baby and placenta is the best way to resolve this disorder [2].

Women with mild preeclampsia can often manage the condition at home under close medical supervision until they’re ready to deliver. Doctors may prescribe medications to lower blood pressure and steroid injections to help the baby’s lungs grow more quickly[2].

Severe preeclampsia prevents unborn babies from getting enough blood and oxygen and hinders their growth. As a result, healthcare providers typically recommend that women deliver their babies early to protect their health. Doctors may perform a cesarian section or give the women medications to induce early labor [2].

Lifestyle Changes for Preeclampsia

There’s no 100% proven method to avoid preeclampsia during pregnancy. However, research suggests healthy lifestyle changes may help prevent or manage this condition in high-risk women.

Eliminating alcohol and caffeinated drinks during pregnancy and taking antioxidant-rich diet during pregnancy may help reduce the risk of preeclampsia.
Eliminating alcohol and caffeinated drinks during pregnancy and taking antioxidant-rich diet during pregnancy may help reduce the risk of preeclampsia.

Tactics that may have a positive effect on blood pressure during pregnancy include [5]:

  • Eliminating alcohol and caffeinated drinks during pregnancy
  • Eating a diet rich in antioxidants, fruits, vegetables, and vegetable oils
  • Avoiding salty foods  
  • Performing prenatal yoga
  • Practicing self-care, such as taking bubble baths and spending time on hobbies
  • Reducing stress from work
  • Taking calcium, folic acid, and iron supplements
  • Staying physically active
  • Using a low dose of aspirin before or during the 16th week of pregnancy

Maintaining a healthy weight before and during pregnancy also decreases the risk of pregnancy-induced hypertension [5].

Climate may also play a role in preventing preeclampsia. Research suggests that this condition develops more frequently during cold seasons, so women could try to time their pregnancy strategically [5].  You can learn more about how to manage protein in this blog.

Detect Preeclampsia with Test Strips for Protein in Urine

Even the healthiest pregnancies can drastically alter your body and cause troubling symptoms. You may wonder if your achy back and swollen ankles are typical symptoms of pregnancy or red flags indicating a risky medical condition.

Fortunately, a home test for protein in urine makes it easier to detect signs of preeclampsia. Diagnox’s Urinox-10 protein in urine test strips allow you to conduct 24-hour urine protein preeclampsia monitoring. Also, each test kit comes with a 24-hour urine preeclampsia protein levels chart. You can track how your urine changes throughout the day and use the chart to see if you have abnormal protein levels.

Safeguard your and your baby's health today with Diagnox’s affordable at-home urine monitoring test strips.

Diagnox Urinox-10 test strips make detecting preeclampsia signs easier. They are user-friendly and assist in monitoring 24-hour urine protein levels. Each kit includes a protein levels chart, enabling you to track daily changes and identify any abnormalities.
Diagnox Urinox-10 and urine protein test strips make detecting preeclampsia signs easier. They are user-friendly and assist in monitoring 24-hour urine protein levels. Each kit includes a protein levels chart, enabling you to track daily changes and identify any abnormalities.

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References

[1] Cleveland Clinic Staff, “Pregnancy and Bladder Control,” Cleveland Clinic. [Accessed July 6, 2023].

[2] Cleveland Clinic Staff, “Preeclampsia,” Cleveland Clinic. [Accessed July 6, 2023].  

[3] H. Lu, and R. Hu, “Lasting Effects of Intrauterine Exposure to Preeclampsia on Offspring and the Underlying Mechanism,” AJP Reports, pp. 275-291, July 2019.  

[4] Cleveland Clinic Staff, “Proteinuria,” Cleveland Clinic. [Accessed July 6, 2023].  

[5] M. Rasouli, M. Pourheidari, and Z. Gardesh, “Effect of Self-care Before and During Pregnancy to Prevention and Control Preeclampsia in High-risk Women,” International Journal of Preventative Medicine, vol. 10, no. 21, February 2019.

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About the Author
Cheryl Whitten

Cheryl Whitten is a health writer with a background in allied health care as an herbalist and clinical aromatherapist. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English literature from Athabasca University and certificates from the University of Maryland and Wild Rose College. She writes for leading health and lifestyle websites with a focus on health, wellness, and consumer products.

About the Reviewer
This blog was
Technically reviewed by: 
Adele Morris

Adele Morris served as the editor and proofreader of this blog, displaying her exceptional editorial skills and expertise in the field.

The blog was also reviewed by the Diagnox content team. Diagnox Staff consists of a multidisciplinary team of scientists, content writers, and healthcare professionals with an expertise to create and review high-quality, informative, accurate, and easy-to-understand content for both professionals and everyday readers. Our staff follows strict guidelines to ensure the credibility and authenticity of the information, reviewing them independently and verifying them by various scientific and technical sources to ensure accuracy. Our review team believes in delivering knowledge free from bias to improve public health and well-being.

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