Why Do You Get Yellow Urine During Pregnancy?

Are you passing yellow urine while pregnant? While it could be causing you a lot of anxiety, it is one of the changes that face many expectant mothers. Yellow urine can be caused by the intake of vitamin supplements and the food you eat. It can also indicate that you need to drink more water. Our discussion today looks at why you are passing yellow urine and what you can do about it.

What Causes the Yellow Urine During Pregnancy?

1. Dehydration
Dehydration is a common cause of passing yellow urine. This could be because you are not taking enough fluids, especially water. The result of taking inadequate water is that the concentration of Urobilin/Urochrome (the chemical responsible for the yellow color of urine) increases, thus making your urine yellow and even sometimes brown.

The risk of getting dehydrated during pregnancy is even higher, because the changes happening to your body demand more fluids to maintain your metabolism and higher fluid levels.

Drink plenty of water and eat fruits and veggies such as watermelons, cauliflower, cucumbers, and broccoli. If you notice that the color of your urine stays the same, please consult a doctor.

2. Prenatal Vitamins
Pregnant women are required to take prenatal vitamins. In this scenario, what your body cannot absorb, such as vitamins B and C are excreted in your urine and may cause it to change to the yellow urine during pregnancy.

3. The Foods You Eat
Fruits and veggies could also be a reason why the color of your urine changes. Healthy vegetables such as carrots and sweet potatoes can cause your urine to be a darker shade. This is caused by the pigments in these fruits and vegetables. You have nothing to worry about if this happens to you. And there is absolutely no reason for you to cut back on your fruits and vegetables.

4. Medicines and herbal Supplements
Medications and herbal supplements that you take may cause your urine to darken or be a lot lighter in color. Medicines that are used to treat most bladder infections, such as Pyridium, can turn the color of your urine into an orange hue. Even laxatives have been known to turn the color of urine.

5. Urinary Tract Infections (UTI)
UTIs are common during pregnancy. UTIs and bacteriuria in the urinary tract can cause the urine to become dark and cloudy. If not treated early, UTIs can cause serious health implications such as preterm labor. See your doctor if you notice that your urine is dark, has a foul smell or is cloudy.

Express Your Concerns
Although you usually have nothing to worry about if you notice that the yellow shades in your urine, feel free to raise your concerns to your doctor or prenatal caregiver. If you notice that your urine color has changed to green, blue, pink or any other unusual colors, consult your doctor immediately.

What If the Yellow Urine During Pregnancy Is Caused by Urinary Tract Infections?
A urine test or urinalysis can detect a UTI.

How Is a Urinary Tract Infection During Pregnancy Treated?
Urinary tract infection is treated with antibiotics that are safe for the baby. Common symptoms of UTI include irritation or a burning sensation during urination, foul-smelling urine, and cramps in the lower abdomen. Consult your doctor if symptoms do not recede after three days of taking your meds.

Other remedies include:

• Adequate intake of vitamin C, zinc and beta-carotene will help to fight UTI.
• Take plenty of cranberry juice. The active ingredient in cranberry juice is effective against UTI bacteria. It is said that it can stop an infection within eight hours of drinking cranberry juice.

How Can I Prevent a UTI?

• Drink plenty of water, preferably eight glasses per day. The less water you take, the more vulnerable you are to contracting UTI.
• Always empty your bladder as soon as possible. Holding your urine for a longer time increases the chance of a urinary tract infection.
• Maintain good hygiene of both your panties and vagina. Avoid using soaps that are harsh and abrasive. Clean your vagina from the front to the back.
• Don’t stay in a bathtub for more than half an hour.
• Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and sugar.
• Don’t have intercourse while you are still on treatment for UTI. This way, you will protect your partner from infection, and yourself from reinfection.

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