The norm of erythrocytes in the blood of pregnant women. Changes in the indicators of erythrocytes in the urine of pregnant women. How to treat elevated red blood cells in urine

Young mothers need to carefully monitor their health and constantly undergo various tests, including urinalysis, since erythrocytes in urine during pregnancy are signs of various pathologies.

These could be kidney problems or infections. Or is it a simple reaction of the body.

The body of a woman during pregnancy undergoes great changes.

Most physiological processes do not proceed as before, due to the development of the fetus.

Therefore, a young mother needs to closely monitor her health.

The appearance of red blood cells in the urine is an indicator that something is wrong with the woman's health.

Normally, their number in pregnant women should not exceed one erythrocyte per field of view.

On average, there can be about three to five red blood cells in the analysis. This number does not indicate any violations.

The medical term for this problem is hematuria. With a small content of red blood cells in the urine, the problem is called microhematuria. If the urine becomes red due to the erythrocytes contained in it, then this is gross hematuria.

It is necessary to donate urine for analysis only in the morning after washing. Cover the vagina with a gauze pad before collection and skip the first serving. Collect the rest in a container.

Causes of high red blood cell count

If high red blood cells are found in the urine during pregnancy, doctors immediately seek to find out the cause in order to exclude such serious diseases as kidney disease or the presence of tumors in the body.

If the erythrocytes in the urine are increased during pregnancy, then this indicates such diseases as:

• uterine bleeding;
• colpitis of a pregnant woman;
• urolithiasis disease;
• cervical erosion;
• trauma;
• hormonal disruptions;
• the quality of the consumed water;
• passive lifestyle.

To accurately identify one of these diseases, doctors also perform procedures such as calposcopy and examination of the cervix, vaginal smear, bacterial culture (checking for genital infections), kidney ultrasound and urinalysis (normal and according to Nechiporenko).

Clarification of the diagnosis

Uterine bleeding does not cause a change in the color of urine, so you can guess about it mainly by tests.

In case of uterine bleeding, there should be from 1 to 15 erythrocytes in the field of view on the slide (the place bounded by the contours of the tube when viewed through a microscope).

Colpitis is an inflammation of the vaginal mucosa. It can also occur in pregnant women, due to the fact that their vaginal cells are filled with glycogen, colpitis can cause the appearance of blood cells in urine analysis.

Glycogen in cells is a very nutritious and fertile environment for all sorts of microorganisms. They penetrate directly into the intercellular space and damage cell membranes. This is how red blood cells enter the urine.

Urolithiasis is caused by large deposits of salts in the kidneys. The stones can be in one position, causing pelvic pressure ulcers - trophic ulcers. Of these, erythrocytes can enter the urine. Also, kidney stones can move with the flow of urine, causing severe pain.

If the stones are not yet formed, sand can also cause pain and damage. Moving along the urinary canals, it causes damage throughout the urinary canal, up to the ureters and urethra. In this case, red blood cells appear in the urine, but not due to a disease of the kidneys themselves, but due to injuries of the urinary system.

Of all the signs, cervical erosion is the least dangerous. Erosion is caused by softening of the cervix. The vessels of the vagina dilate and may allow some blood elements to pass through.

Macrohematuria often occurs as a result of trauma or emotional and physical stress, hormonal disruptions. It is not a dangerous phenomenon, but it is necessary to take a simple urine test for several days to clarify the cause.

The quality of the water consumed can also affect the appearance of blood cells in the urinalysis. If a pregnant woman drinks a lot of water containing chlorine, red blood cells may be in the urine. In this case, doctors prescribe more purified drinking water and special preparations to neutralize the effect of chlorine.

Increased red blood cells in urine during pregnancy also occur in the analyzes of mothers who spend quite a lot of time at the computer.

Also, an increase in the level of red blood cells in the urine in the early stages of pregnancy can be caused by an enlarged uterus, which begins to squeeze the bladder.

The outflow of urine is blocked and stagnation occurs. It can cause kidney damage and impair blood circulation.

Of all the reasons for the appearance of blood cells in urine analysis, only uterine bleeding is a latent threat of termination of pregnancy.

When erythrocytes are detected in urine, a three-glass test is used. When collecting urine, the first portion is released into the first jar, the second into the second and the third into the third.

If red blood cells are found in the first portion, the problem may be the appearance of inflammation of the urethra. The presence of erythrocytes in the second part of the urine speaks of diseases of the kidneys and ureter. Red blood cells in the third - indicate bladder problems.

Do you know what a high leukocyte count in urine in pregnant women means? In this topic, you will find out what leukocytes are responsible for and what are their normal indicators.

Why is it important to have a regular urine test for red blood cells?

Hormonal changes in their bodies disrupt the normal functioning of organs and can cause various kinds of diseases.

That is why any pregnant woman needs to carefully monitor her health and regularly undergo all the necessary examinations and tests.

Detection of red blood cells in urine will help to avoid many serious diseases or prevent them at an early stage.

The immunity of pregnant women is weakened and any microorganism can harm both the mother and the baby, therefore it is extremely important to donate urine for analysis in order to avoid and identify dangerous diseases in time.

If a child has an admixture of blood in the urine, then you need to immediately consult a doctor, because this is a sure symptom of pathology in the urinary system. : the main diseases indicated by this symptom.

For what reason honeymoon cystitis occurs and how the disease is treated, you will find out in the heading.

Video on the topic

Erythrocytes are red blood cells that carry oxygen and remove carbon dioxide from tissue cells. When erythrocytes are lowered during pregnancy, we are talking about the formation of oxygen starvation not only in the expectant mother, but also in her child. This negatively affects the life of two organisms at once. When the red blood cells in the blood during pregnancy are below normal, there is a risk of interrupting it or giving birth to a child with various kinds of developmental pathologies. In this case, it is important to detect the problem in a timely manner in order to minimize the risks.

The state of the body in pregnant women, in comparison with girls who are not carrying a child, undergoes serious changes. This also applies to quantitative indicators for erythrocytes. The rate of red blood cells in the blood, with such changes, increases by about a quarter.

If the pregnancy is proceeding normally, blood plasma parameters also become elevated. At the same time, the level of hematocrit and hemoglobin concentration decreases. Often, if the rate is too low, pregnant women are faced with hemodilutionary anemia, which has some differences in comparison with iron deficiency.

It is generally accepted that the normal rate of erythrocytes during pregnancy is more than 3.5 * 10 12 / l. Erythrocytes, in addition to the direct transport function, are engaged in nutritional and protective work. The formation of these blood cells takes place in the bone marrow.

From there, they are sent to the bloodstream, where they circulate freely. Due to the fact that the substance carries out constant production, its amount, on average, remains unchanged.

Erythrocytes are detected by the simplest test. This is a general clinical blood test. They are shown the percentage ratio of plasma volume in the blood to all other components. In addition, this value can be measured in other units mentioned above. Due to the gradual increase in the total blood volume, there is a change in the norm, depending on the period.

The analysis determines not only the number of red blood cells, but also the rate of their sedimentation. During pregnancy, the indicator can decrease to 3.5 * 10 12 / l due to the increasing blood volume in general. The body begins to prepare for the subsequent blood loss that is inevitable during childbirth.

In this case, the plasma volume also increases. Its level reaches 35-50 percent, erythrocytes in this case are 12-25 percent. Depending on the duration of pregnancy, their rate varies. So, in the first trimester, the highest indicator is 4.2-4.5 * 10 12 / l, for the second trimester, 3.5-4.8 * 10 12 / l is considered the norm, for the third 3.7-5 * 10 12 / l. It is important to emphasize that the presence of severe toxicosis increases the number of red blood cells.

Increase in indicator

Despite the fact that oxygen transfer becomes the main erythrocyte function during pregnancy, one should not think that their increased value provides the fetus with the maximum possible amount of this element. On the contrary, the usual portion will be reduced. This will happen against the background of blood thickening. As a result, the fetus will receive only the already processed air residues that have undergone the oxidation process.

The consequence of such a violation may be:

• fetal hypoxia;
• heart problems;
• severe toxicosis leading to dehydration;
• constantly elevated body temperature.

The factors that influence the increase in the erythrocyte level can and should be fought. Therefore, it is important to take diagnostic issues seriously as long as the fetus is developing correctly, without any threats.

A decreased indicator is most often associated with a natural increase in the amount of blood in general. The further the fetus grows, the lower the rates the pregnant woman encounters. This phenomenon cannot be considered a pathology until the number of erythrocytes has gone beyond the normal limits. If the lower border has been crossed, anemia of a different nature, inflammation, and kidney problems may occur.

Most often, problems are associated with a lack of iron in the blood in pregnant women. In this case, it is recommended to pay attention to products in which its content is high. There are a number of signs by which you can recognize a reduced number of red blood cells in the blood.

This is how it manifests itself as a constant feeling of fatigue and lethargy, the heartbeat becomes more frequent, while the hands become colder, become sweaty, the level of blood pressure decreases, the skin and mucous membranes turn pale. The neglected forms turn into fainting. Any of these symptoms can be a sign of a lowered red blood cell level, which necessarily requires treatment.

Danger and surrender rules

A reduced red blood cell count cannot be considered pathological only during the first three months of pregnancy. During this period, blood thinning by the body is performed as a preparation for further nutrition of the placenta and childbirth. However, with the further bearing of a child with low erythrocyte counts, a lot of unpleasant consequences can occur.

We are talking about pathologies associated with a delay in the growth and development of the fetus, fetal hypoxia, weak labor, death of the child within 24 hours after birth. Significant blood loss during childbirth, the threat of childbirth before the appointed time cannot be ruled out.

It should be noted that in order to obtain reliable test results, it is important to correctly donate blood. During pregnancy, any false readings can lead to unnecessary stress, which negatively affects the baby.

If you have been prescribed a UAC, then blood donation is performed before ten o'clock in the morning on an empty stomach. The last meal should be no earlier than eight hours before delivery. Dinner should be made minimal, light, the use of junk food or its something new, to which the body is not accustomed, should be excluded. For dinner and during the entire time until delivery, you can only drink non-carbonated water.

It is important to stop taking medications and vitamins. If it is impossible to do this for health reasons, be sure to inform the doctor about the drugs you are taking, who will decipher the analysis taking into account these indicators. It is possible that the usual dosage will be changed or the hours of admission have been shifted. Whenever possible, physical and emotional stress is excluded.

Indicator in urine

Among all the tests that are required for delivery to pregnant women, urine analysis plays an important role. With its help, pathologies affecting the genitourinary system are detected without problems. In this case, a special role is played by erythrocytes, which can be found in the urine of a pregnant woman.

The presence of these substances in the urine is called hematuria. In this case, more than four units of red blood cells are recorded in the field of view. During the period of bearing a child, hematuria can be both false and true. The second option refers to the ingress of erythrocytes into the canal through the renal tubules. If in the urine there are erythrocytes of a whole order, then a false option is implied.

It is he who is most often found in pregnant women. Such a deviation can be provoked by ICD, uterine bleeding, erosion of the cervical uterus, colpitis. Colpitis generally means inflammation of the vaginal mucosa, however, in the case of pregnant women, there is a somewhat different specificity.

We are talking about the content of glycogen by cells, the presence of which allows microbes to develop very quickly. As a result, they penetrate into the intercellular space, affecting the corresponding membranes. Because of this, erythrocytes are detected in the analysis, however, this has no connection with renal pathologies.

It is worth noting that an increase in erythrocytes in urine does not always find expression in its staining red. Thus, the doctor needs additional diagnostics. We are talking about checking the kidneys using ultrasound, examining the uterine cervix using mirrors, bacterial culture from the genitals, a smear from the vagina.

Quite often, the presence of red blood cells in the urine is explained by the presence of cystitis, pyelonephritis, venereal infection. Urine for analysis is collected from the morning portion, after the preliminary toilet of the external genitalia. It is best to insert a tampon into your vagina to prevent microflora from contaminating urine.

Some laboratories assume the delivery of morning urine, divided into three portions. If blood is found in the first, then we are talking about lesions of the urinary canal. The presence of red blood cells in the second sample may indicate renal pathology. The third serving will demonstrate bladder inflammation. Depending on the pathology, treatment is selected. Self-medication in this case is prohibited.

Every pregnant woman, passing one or another test, always eagerly and excitedly awaits its results. After all, you really want everything to be fine with the baby. Unfortunately, in the modern world, perfect tests are very rare, even if a woman was absolutely healthy before pregnancy.

Any doctor will say that minor changes in the rate of indicators for pregnant women are permissible due to the restructuring of the whole body. Therefore, the analyzes will be deciphered taking into account the position of the woman. One of the important test indicators is red blood cells during pregnancy. An increase or decrease in red blood cells can be either a symptom of a serious illness or a temporary phenomenon. Only the attending physician can say for sure.

Red blood cells and their role

Red blood cells are small blood cells that contain hemoglobin. Their main role is to transport oxygen from the lungs to all tissues and organs and to remove carbon dioxide on the way back. Red blood cells help the body produce antibodies to different types of viruses. These blood cells find the focus of the disease, tying the "poisoners" together. When the red blood cell count is low, it can signal problems. In this case, the gynecologist may prescribe an additional analysis to determine the level of red blood cells in the blood and urine of a pregnant woman.

Red blood cells in a blood test. Rate and deviations

The total number of red blood cells is determined in a clinical blood test.

A slight change in the level of red blood cells in the blood of a pregnant woman is considered normal.

From a medical point of view, this is due to the fact that the body, preparing in advance for possible blood loss during childbirth, increases the volume of circulating blood. The volume of plasma increases, and as a result, the number of erythrocytes increases.

In the normal course of pregnancy, the rate of red blood cells in pregnant women is as follows:

A high level of red blood cells in the blood is called erythrocytosis, or plurality. It is associated with a number of reasons:

• transferred stress;
• great physical activity;
• accommodation in a mountainous area.

Sometimes due to severe toxicosis, when dehydration of the body often occurs, the level of red blood cells may slightly increase, but this is not considered a pathology, since it is temporary and is due to the physiological characteristics of the body. Otherwise, it can be a sign of heart and vascular diseases, kidney and liver cancer, pathologies of the respiratory and circulatory system.

The decrease in the normal level of red blood cells in the blood of a woman carrying a child should be taken more seriously. More than 40% of women have a deviation in this part of the analysis. A low level of red blood cells in the blood does not always indicate anemia. There are a number of other diseases associated with low red blood cell counts.

Reasons for a decrease in the level of red blood cells

A disease in which the level of red blood cells in a pregnant woman is several times lower than the permissible norm is called erythropenia. There are many reasons for its occurrence:

• improper nutrition of the expectant mother;
• large blood loss;
• heart, kidney disease;
• anemia of all kinds;
• iron deficiency;
• lack of B-group vitamins;
• an infectious disease is present at the time of pregnancy;
• chronic diseases of the expectant mother;
• depletion of the body against the background of constant stress;
• oncological diseases, accompanied by the growth of metastases;
• malfunction of the hormonal system;
• a short break between the previous and the present pregnancy;
• at the time of the test, antibacterial therapy was being carried out;
• leukemia.

A woman carrying a baby should know that the sooner problems are identified, the higher the chance of giving birth to a completely healthy child.

Erythropenia symptoms

Often, a woman finds out that pregnancy is not entirely smooth only in the doctor's office after taking a blood test. There are a number of signs that serve as a signal to see a doctor:

• a constant feeling of lethargy and fatigue;
• cardiopalmus;
• cold sweaty hands;
• low blood pressure;
• pale skin and mucous membranes;
• with an advanced form, fainting is possible.

Any of these symptoms is a sign of a low level of red blood cells, which requires compulsory treatment.

The danger of erythropenia

A reduced level of red blood cells in the blood is not considered a pathology only in the first trimester of pregnancy. So, by thinning the blood, the body prepares for feeding the placenta and the upcoming birth. However, if in the future, bearing a baby is accompanied by a decrease in red blood cells, then this is already a pathological course of pregnancy, since erythropenia can lead to a number of unpleasant consequences:

• serious pathologies in the growth and development of the fetus;
• fetal hypoxia;
• weak labor activity;
• death of a child on the first day after birth;
• significant blood loss during childbirth;
• the threat of premature birth.

Treatment and prevention of the disease

A second blood test may be ordered by the obstetrician-gynecologist to pinpoint the cause of the decrease in the number of blood discs. When confirming the diagnosis, it is very important to find and eliminate the root cause of the problem and only then prescribe the appropriate treatment. As a rule, it consists of several stages:

1. Adjusting the nutrition of the expectant mother.
2. Prescribing the necessary drugs and vitamins if erythropenia is caused by an infection.
3. If a decrease in the level of red blood cells is associated with stagnation of fluid in the body of a pregnant woman, diuretics are mandatory in conjunction with a salt-free diet.
4. With significant blood loss, all measures are taken to restore the level of biological fluid.

Treatment at home is often undesirable and impossible. For more serious reasons, such as anemia or oncology, the treatment of erythropenia is carried out only in a hospital under the strict supervision of the medical staff in order to avoid deterioration of the condition of the pregnant woman.

In order to avoid problems with blood in the future, it is necessary to systematically pass tests prescribed by a gynecologist. Try to lead a healthy lifestyle with proper nutritious nutrition.

Red blood cells in urine

The appearance of red blood cells in the urine is an alarming sign. Sometimes it is absolutely safe and is associated exclusively with physiological changes in the body, weighed down by pregnancy.

Most often, the appearance of traces of blood in the urine is a sign of pathology. Do not panic, you need to find out the cause of blood discs in the urine.

The rate of red blood cells in the urine

In the general analysis of the urine of a pregnant woman, the presence of 0-1 red blood cells in the field of view is allowed. When more oxygen-carrying cells are excreted in the urine, this is a deviation that requires correction.

Sometimes, in order to clarify the picture of the appearance of red blood cells in the urine, the gynecologist may prescribe a urine test from three glasses. The essence of this study is that you first need to collect the first portion of morning urine, then the middle, and then the last. Biomaterial is collected in different signed cups.

Such an analysis will be able to diagnose urolithiasis, problems in the kidneys and ureter, pathology in the development of the bladder.

Causes of the appearance of red blood cells in the urine

The safest cause of hematuria in pregnant women is physiological. The uterus grows, increases in size, begins to put pressure on the organs of the urinary system. Due to this, the outflow of urine becomes more difficult, the kidneys stop working correctly, acting as a filter. As a result, small quantities of red blood cells appear. An increase in red blood cells in the urine can provoke stress, poor lifestyle choices and physical activity.

In other cases, hematuria is associated with a number of diseases of the urinary system and requires an immediate visit to a specialist:

• pyelonephritis;
• cystitis;
• urolithiasis disease;
• cervical erosion;
• uterine bleeding with the threat of termination of pregnancy;
• inflammation of the vaginal mucosa;
• venereal diseases.

Sometimes, in order to exclude serious pathologies, it is recommended to pass a vaginal smear and examination of a pregnant woman on a gynecological chair.

If over time the pregnancy pattern remains the same, and the erythrocytes remain in the urine, a urine test according to Nechiporenko is prescribed.

In any case, panic is not the best helper. Often, an unfavorable prognosis is obtained as a result of improper collection of biomaterial.

Pregnancy requires constant monitoring of the level of red blood cells in the urine. It is very important to take all the tests recommended by the gynecologist leading the pregnancy on time. Only he will be able to prescribe the correct treatment. In no case should you self-medicate or let the disease take its course. This can be fraught not only with the health of the woman, but also dangerous for the unborn child.

Erythrocytes in the urine of pregnant women are a sign of inflammatory processes in the organs of the genitourinary system or internal bleeding. An increase in red blood cells in the composition of urine is considered a deviation from the norm, therefore, the expectant mother, whose analyzes turned out to be unsatisfactory, is sent for additional examination, and she is also given a preliminary diagnosis - hematuria.

Let us consider in more detail why there is an increase in red blood cells in the urine during pregnancy, what diseases this indicates, and also we will study methods for restoring the normal composition of urine.

Indicators of the norm and types of hematuria

When urinating, the urine of a healthy woman in a state of pregnancy has a light yellow hue, which resembles the color of wheat straw. If the red blood cells in the urine are increased, then the urine becomes pink or brown. There are clinical cases when outwardly urine does not differ in hue, smell or density, but biochemical research shows that the erythrocyte indices are changed upward.

In urine during pregnancy, erythrocytes are normal, when no more than 1 red blood cell is in the field of view of a specialist performing a study of biological material using a microscope. It is better when these cells are not found at all. If, according to the results of the analysis, it is established that there are 3-4 red blood cells in the field of view, then for a pregnant woman this is also not considered a pathological state of the body. Anything above the indicated indicators is a sign of a concomitant disease.

Classification of hematuria

There are the following types of increase in red blood cells in the urine during gestation:

• constant - the rate of erythrocytes in urine during pregnancy is violated for a long period of time (from 5 to 10 days), the results of the tests carried out, which were taken at different times of the day, confirm that a constant release of red blood cells is in the urine of a pregnant woman;
• recurrent - an increase in erythrocytes is symptomatic, when the body of the expectant mother is exposed to a number of negative factors;
• isolated - occurs in pregnant women suffering from concomitant kidney diseases, when the filtration function of their tissues is impaired, not only an admixture of red blood cells is present in the urine, but also other secretions indicating massive cell death;
• combined - in a laboratory study, it is established that, together with erythrocytes, urine contains a large number of protein molecules, there are clear signs of proteinuria (such a clinical situation suggests that the reason for the reflux of erythrocytes into the urine of a pregnant woman is a serious kidney pathology that significantly reduces their functional activity ).

It is believed that the most dangerous is permanent hematuria, when an increasing concentration of red blood cells in urine gradually leads to a decrease in the level of hemoglobin in the blood. A pregnant woman begins to experience malaise, weakness, signs of shortness of breath, rapid fatigue appear. There is a threat of the development of anemia and oxygen starvation of the fetus.

Causes of pathology

A pregnant woman who has no health problems has no red blood cells in her urine. The reasons for their appearance may be associated with the presence of the following diseases with different stages of development:

• pathology of kidney tissue (pyelonephritis, glomerulonephritis), when they disrupt the filtration function of the excretory organ, during the passage of blood through the renal filter, a small number of red blood cells are thrown into the composition of the produced urine;
• urolithiasis, when extraneous formations in the form of calculi of various origins begin to move along the ureter, inside the kidney or bladder, injure the sensitive mucous membrane, provoking local capillary bleeding (it is very important that before planning a pregnancy, a woman undergoes an examination of the excretory system for the presence of sand and stones);
• intrauterine bleeding, it is characteristic of women in the first trimester of gestation (develops in case of embryo rejection, mechanical damage to the abdominal cavity);
• erosion of the walls of the uterus, their appearance is possible under the influence of pathogenic microorganisms from among a bacterial, viral or fungal infection (it is difficult, with a large number of complications, it is difficult to treat with drugs);
• taking medications containing a large amount of iron oxide (prescribed for women suffering from anemia, or other diseases associated with an imbalance of red blood cells);
• colpitis of the vaginal mucosa, because of it, traces of red blood cells appear in the urine of a pregnant woman (diagnosed in women who initially had an inflammatory disease of the internal genital organs, but it developed in a chronic form, and the state of pregnancy provoked an exacerbation of the disease);
• toxic poisoning of the body by exposure to vapors of harmful chemical compounds, drugs, salts of heavy metals (in this case, the female body takes emergency measures to preserve its own vitality, the process of fetal rejection begins, its development is preceded by the release of blood from the vagina and kidneys);
• oncological processes in the ovaries, uterus, kidneys, bladder, which have a malignant nature of origin, develop over the course of 2-3 months and began to destroy the tissues of the organs of the genitourinary system.

Increased red blood cells in urine during pregnancy pose a serious threat not only to the life of the woman herself, but can also cause miscarriage. In this case, the most dangerous are cancerous growths, severe intoxication of the body with chemicals, infectious infection of the organs of the genitourinary system.

How to collect urine for analysis?

It is important to remember that the delivery of urine to determine the quantitative composition of red blood cells in women who are in a state of pregnancy should be carried out exclusively in the morning. An hour before the selection of biological material, a thorough washing of the genitals should be performed using warm water and soap. Urine is collected in a sterile plastic container prepared in advance for this procedure.

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The container can be purchased at the pharmacy, or obtained from the laboratory where the analysis will be carried out. In general, it is recommended to observe the following rules:

• after performing hygiene procedures, immediately before urinating, take a clean cotton swab and plug the entrance to the vagina (this is necessary so that mucus and other secretions that may affect the results of the study do not enter the urine);
• for the first 2-3 seconds, a stream of urine must be directed into the toilet in order to perform a natural rinsing of the urethra, and the rest of the biological material in a volume of 80-100 milliliters can be sent to the container for analyzes;
• immediately after filling the sterile container, it is tightly closed with a lid and delivered to the biochemical laboratory, where specialists will conduct a study, establish the presence and absence of red blood cells.

If the erythrocytes in the urine are increased during pregnancy, then this is indicated in the medical report, which is the basis for the final diagnosis of the patient. Based on this, a further treatment regimen is formed.

Other diagnostic methods

A urine test can only show the presence or absence of red blood cells, as well as other cells that indicate the state of health of a pregnant woman. If the preliminary examination confirmed the presence of red blood cells, then in this case the expectant mother will need to undergo the following types of instrumental diagnostics:

• ultrasound examination of the kidneys, bladder, internal genital organs, in order to exclude foci of an inflammatory nature, extraneous neoplasms, calculi in the form of stones, as well as sand particles;
• magnetic resonance imaging of the pelvic organs, and, if necessary, the entire abdominal cavity (displays in more detail the state of tissue health, gives information about the degree of their functionality, size, presence or absence of inflammatory processes);
• a smear from the surface of the mucous membrane of the walls of the vagina (taken in order to determine the microflora of the internal genital organs of a woman, to exclude the infectious cause of the appearance of erythrocytes in the urine, when, under the influence of pathogenic microorganisms, the epithelial layer of the vulva is damaged, erosions are formed).

A prerequisite for the examination when erythrocytes appear in the urine is the donation of blood from a finger for its clinical study to control the quantitative composition of red cells. Venous blood is also donated to determine if there are severe strains of infection, cancer cells, and other biochemical changes in the body.

Treatment

Therapy of hematuria directly depends on what triggered the appearance of red blood cells in the urine. The most effective and commonly used treatments are the following:

• the appointment of antibacterial drugs, if the cause of the disease is associated with infectious inflammation of the kidneys, bladder, internal genital organs, excretory canals (antibiotics during pregnancy are used only in extreme cases, when the threat to the health of the mother and child is much more serious than the negative consequences of the use of drugs);
• taking sorbent preparations in case of toxic poisoning of the body;
• treatment of ulcerative formations of the vaginal mucosa with antiseptic solutions;
• injections and intravenous drips for crushing stones in the kidneys and other organs of the genitourinary system.
• anti-inflammatory drugs intended for systemic therapy of the kidneys, if hematuria has arisen due to damage to the tissues of this organ.

Every woman carrying a baby is always looking forward to the test results to make sure everything is in order. But not always tests during pregnancy can please, ideal indicators are now a rarity, even if a woman was absolutely healthy before conception. Slight deviations from the norm in the level of hemoglobin are quite natural for pregnant women, but the presence of salts in the urine, as well as red blood cells, make the woman and her doctor anxious. If there is blood in the urine, then this may indicate the pathology of pregnancy. But you should not panic ahead of time, it is better to understand this issue in more detail.

Hematuria or the presence of a small amount of blood in the urine of a pregnant woman is not so common, it may be associated with the pregnancy process itself, but not indicate a pathology. It can also be one of the symptoms of diseases that accompany a woman during pregnancy. If the analysis of urine showed an increase in red blood cells in the urine during pregnancy, then first you need to tune in only to the positive, not to be nervous and try to find out the reason. A specialist consultation and additional examination are required.

Causes of the appearance of red blood cells in urine during pregnancy

All systems and organs of the human body are closely interconnected, and if the number of red blood cells in the blood of a pregnant woman is higher than normal, then doctors pay attention to this, since the level of hemoglobin and the saturation of cells with oxygen depend on this indicator.

What are red blood cells? These are our blood cells, colored red (the common name is "red blood cells), they participate in a complex process, saturating tissues with oxygen. The state of not only a pregnant woman, but also the development of her child depends on the amount of hemoglobin (erythrocytes are present in it). Normally, red blood cells should not migrate (leave the bloodstream) in large numbers, and if this happens, then red blood cells are present in the urine of a pregnant woman, which indicates that the pregnancy is proceeding with complications.

If your urinalysis shows the presence of red blood cells, then you need to find out the reason for the appearance of red blood cells in the urine. The reasons can be different, ranging from serious kidney disease and even ending with the development of a tumor.

Laboratory analysis reveals 2 types of hematuria (appearance of blood cells in the urine):

1. True.
2. False.

The first option suggests that the erythrocytes underwent a certain treatment in the kidney canals, and then mixed with urine and went outside.

The causes of false hematuria are the following diseases:

• kidney and urinary tract diseases (sand and stones);
• bleeding in the uterus;
• cervical erosion;
• colpitis of the vaginal mucosa.

Let's take a closer look at each process in order to understand the picture of the disease. So, pregnancy is a serious load on a woman's body, therefore, during this period, no one is immune from troubles. If during pregnancy the stones in the kidneys "moved" and began to move outward along with the liquid (urine flow), then the stones will scratch the walls of the mucous membrane and there will be blood in the urine. It turns out that the movement of stones or sand injures the mucous membrane of the urethra and ureters, so red blood cells can be found in the urine. This suggests that red blood cells got into the fluid not because the kidneys began to work poorly, but because the urethra was injured.

If bleeding opens in the uterus, then red blood cells will also be present in the urine. A woman may even be unaware of anything, since urine does not change color. But even a few red blood cells (from 1 to 15) already indicate pathological changes in the body during pregnancy.

If a woman has erosion on the cervix, then red blood cells will also be present in the urine. We briefly describe the process of release of red blood cells: during the gestation of a child, the cervix becomes softer, the vessels also expand and can pass a small amount of blood. When you urinate, vaginal discharge mixes with the urine stream.

Changes in the vaginal mucosa or colpitis are an inflammatory process that occurs in every woman in a different way. For example, during pregnancy, all problems are exacerbated, and each cell of the vagina is filled with a favorable breeding ground for microorganisms. They can freely penetrate deep into and damage cell membranes. Accordingly, if the situation is too running, then erythrocytes are also found in the urine (vaginal discharge is mixed with urine and goes out). To exclude a severe pathology of pregnancy (the threat of interruption or uterine bleeding, a change in the functioning of the kidneys), it is necessary to pass one more additional analysis - this is a smear of the mucous membrane taken from the vagina. So you can understand the nature of the appearance of red blood cells in the urine. If there are many red blood cells in the smear, then the diagnosis of colpitis is confirmed and the pregnant woman is prescribed appropriate treatment.

How to find out the real cause of red blood cells in urine?

As soon as the doctor receives the results of the tests of the pregnant woman and sees that the level of red blood cells is higher than normal, then it is necessary to pass the tests again, as well as to examine the vagina and cervix on the gynecological chair. Such an additional examination will help the specialist find out the real cause of the appearance of blood cells in the urine.

Extended inspection includes:

• examination of the cervix by introducing mirrors, as well as examination of the mucous membrane under a colposcope (special microscope);
• taking a smear from the vagina for laboratory research;
• bacteriological culture from the urethra and cervix to exclude the presence of a genital infection, in particular - Trichomonas;
• ultrasound examination of the kidneys;
• collection of urine analysis according to Nechiporenko.

What can a mom-to-be do? Calm down, not worry, and most importantly, collect urine correctly. Not every woman knows the rules for collecting urine during pregnancy. So, urine needs to be collected only in the morning, after the toilet of the genitals is completed. Douching before collecting urine is prohibited!

How to properly collect urine:

1. You must purchase a special sterile urine collection container.
2. In the morning, before going to the toilet for a small one, it is necessary to make a toilet of the genitals and prepare a gauze swab.
3. You need to close the opening in the vagina with a tampon, and then flush the first portion of urine into the toilet.
4. The second portion is collected in a special container (not in a glass or a jar, then to be poured into a container, but immediately into a sterile container). Attention, the container must not touch the skin.
5. For laboratory research, 70 ml of urine is sufficient, but not less. The shelf life of the collected urine is only 2 hours, long-term storage may negatively affect the test results.

If for some reason a woman is not able to collect urine, observing all the rules, doctors resort to another method - the installation of a urinary catheter. Then, in a hospital setting (or in a doctor's office), a nurse inserts a catheter into the urethra and urine immediately enters a sterile container.

If erythrocytes are present in the urine and the tests remain the same, then the woman in the position is prescribed to pass a urine test according to Nechiporenko. How to do it? The principle of urine collection does not differ from the standard one, only you need to collect the average portion of urine in a sterile container (we must follow the preparatory rules). How to do it: we make a toilet of the genitals, close the entrance to the vagina with a tampon (you can just hold a gauze tampon with two fingers), drain the first portion of urine into the toilet, into a jar - the second, the rest back into the toilet. If the analysis according to Nechiporenko shows a high level of red blood cells in the urine, then this means that the kidneys are affected and urgent treatment is needed.

The rate of red blood cells in urine during pregnancy

Surely not every person knows that each of us (in a normal state and during pregnancy) excretes erythrocytes with the flow of urine. There are not many of them. In a healthy man, only 0-3 erythrocytes come out with urine, and in a woman less - 0-1 in the field of view (if you look through a microscope and examine the urine in the field of view).

Analysis of the urine of a pregnant woman, if we consider specifically the presence of erythrocytes, does not differ from the generally accepted norm. Therefore, if there are more blood cells, then this already indicates deviations in the work of the body.

By the way, if you have been assigned to take a three-glass sample analysis, do not be surprised, so the doctor will be able to see the true cause of the appearance of red blood cells in the urine.

What is the correct way to collect urine for a three-glass sample? Here it is important to familiarize yourself with the rules so as not to confuse anything. Such a test does not mean that you need to collect all the urine in one container, and then pour it into 3 jars and take it to the laboratory.

Urine collection rules:

• we produce a toilet for the genitals;
• cover the entrance to the vagina with a gauze swab;
• we prepare 3 sterile containers, sign No. 1, 2 and 3 so as not to be confused and unscrew the caps;
• everything is ready, the most important thing remains - to collect the morning urine. We do this: collect the first portion of urine in jar # 1;
• the second or middle portion in jar # 2;
• the remaining, third portion of urine is sent to container No. 3.

All three containers of urine must be taken to the laboratory.

What the analysis can show:

1. The largest number of erythrocytes will be in the container under No. 1. This means that a pregnant woman has problems with the urethra (sand has gone, stones come out, there is an infection).
2. The second portion of urine will be relatively clean, since all microbes, along with the blood, will remain in the first portion.
3. If a lot of erythrocytes are in 3 containers, then this indicates that the work of the bladder is disrupted and blood comes out of it along with the rest of urine.
4. The same number of red blood cells in 3 containers: the problem must be looked for in the ureters or kidneys.

During pregnancy, the body undergoes serious tests, as the fetus grows, the load on the kidneys and urinary system increases. This is due to the fact that the fetus presses on neighboring organs, and they are forced to work with a double load. If a woman did not have any problems with kidney function before conception, then with the onset of pregnancy, everything can change. It is very important to listen to the doctor's recommendations and take all tests on time.

By the way, if, after an extended examination, it was revealed that all the systems and organs of a pregnant woman are working normally, without pathologies, and blood cells are present in the urine analysis, then the reason for their appearance may be different:

• it's stress. If a woman is nervous, then the walls of the vessels stretch and become more elastic, which means that the blood cells are able to penetrate the urine;
• the use of alcoholic beverages also causes the walls of blood vessels to expand, and the vessels of the kidneys, on the contrary, to narrow;
• when the temperature in the room is too high (the woman has been in the sauna for a long time or works in hazardous industries (the air temperature is high in the workshop));
• after postponed physical exertion;
• if a woman abuses spices.

When other indicators in urine are increased during pregnancy

How to react to the expectant mother if the result of the analysis shows that the leukocyte and erythrocyte counts in the urine during pregnancy are changed?

We figured out the erythrocytes, now we need to find out why leukocytes are present in the urine.

What are white blood cells? These are white blood cells that protect our bodies from infection. Normally, the level of leukocytes in an adult is from 0 to 3 units. in sight. If there are fewer leukocytes, then one can only rejoice, but if the indicators are overestimated, then this may indicate an inflammatory process during pregnancy.

By the way, the expectant mother herself can understand that more leukocytes are present in the urine - the urine changes in color, it darkens and becomes cloudy, and if you leave it for half an hour, you can find a sediment. This means that the leukocyte counts are greatly overestimated and urgent measures need to be taken - to look for the cause of the inflammation and eliminate it.

It is very dangerous for a pregnant woman when leukocytosis develops - literally in a matter of hours, the disease affects the entire body, urgent action is needed.

By the way, increased leukocytes together with erythrocytes may indicate that a woman has the following diseases:

• cystitis;
• inflammation of the bladder;
• thrush and candidiasis;
• pyelonephritis.

When protein and erythrocytes are found in the urine during pregnancy, even if the indicators are slightly higher than normal (from 0.02 g / l to 0.033 g / l), this indicates changes in the body: gestosis, impaired renal function, high blood pressure. Normally, protein in the urine should not be present at all.

Not every medical condition can be recognized by urine analysis. To assess the real picture of the condition of a pregnant woman, it is necessary to regularly visit the antenatal clinic and take all tests on time.