Q&A: I am concerned about protein in my urine at 34 weeks.

by Dr. Gerard M. DiLeo

I am 34-and-a-half-weeks pregnant with my first child, and I was told I have protein in my urine. Why is this, and what can be causing it? Is it harmful to my baby? My blood pressure is slightly high, but apparently not high enough to be of concern. I am doing the 24-hour urine test. Is the high protein level caused by diet? Should I eat something different?

The big worry with protein in the urine ("proteinurea") is the possibility of preeclampsia ("toxemia, Pregnancy Induced Hypertension, or gestational hypertension"). It is normal, however, to spill a trace of protein in pregnancy from time to time. The definitive test is the 24-hour urine, which actually counts the amount of protein you're "spilling." This will rule out preeclampsia. Diet won't affect it unless you skip a meal.

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