Why is there a change in urine colour in pregnancy?

Change in urine color is a common thing noticed by pregnant women. If you take a look in the toilet after urinating, you will notice that it is darker as compared to the usual light-yellow. This change in urine color can be normal, but in some cases, it might be a sign of problems caused during pregnancy. This change in color goes from light yellow to dark yellow or a brighter shade of yellow. There are numerous reasons attributed to these changes.  

Is there any change in urine color during pregnancy?

Normally, the color of urine can be light yellow or yellow to transparent. But for a pregnant woman, this change is more prominent and noticeable. The urine color can change from light yellow to dark yellow. It can go to an orange-yellow shade too. 

Urochrome, also called urobilin, is the component that renders urine its color. When the hemoglobin in our body breaks down from dead erythrocytes, urobilin is produced. 

When our body is hydrated, and the urine is in a dilute form, the concentration of urobilin decreases, and the urine is lighter in shade.  On the contrary, if there is a lack of water in your body and you are dehydrated, the concentration of urobilin increases, and the color of urine becomes dark yellow. There many more reasons for the change in urine color during pregnancy. 

Pregnancy has a significant effect on the working of kidneys.  Also, the intake of vitamins and routine medication that is taken during pregnancy along with the changes in diet affect the color of urine. 

Why is there a Change in Urine Color in Pregnancy?

The following is a list of reasons that might be a potential reason for the change in urine color when you’re pregnant. 

• Lack of water in the body, i.e, dehydration.
• Infections in the urinary bladder. 
• UTIs or Urinary Tract Infections. 
• Changes in diet during pregnancy.
• Medication and Vitamins that are taken during pregnancy.
• Presence of blood in urine, i.e, hematuria.
• Kidney stones and diseases.

How to notice changes in urine color during pregnancy?

A lot of women confirm their pregnancy with a urine-based home pregnancy test kit. After about two weeks of conceiving, a pregnancy test kit can easily detect the presence of human chorionic gonadotropin. This hormone is released in the body during pregnancy. It is produced in the placenta, which gives nourishment to the fertilized egg implanted to the uterus walls. 

The levels of human chorionic gonadotropin increase abruptly and the most during the first three months. It gradually decreases in the remaining six months.

Urine Tests that can be taken during Pregnancy

It is important to take urine tests at regular intervals during pregnancy. Regular urine tests are capable of giving a clear status of your health, and urinalysis helps the doctor to detect issues related to the pregnancy if any in time. The tests help to diagnose infections in the kidney and diabetes.

Kidney disorders or a UTI are indicated by a high level of protein in the urine. The presence of red blood cells or erythrocytes could also be indicative of a urinary tract infection. High sugar levels are indicative of gestational diabetes, which is a possibility in the second trimester. 

Never skip or delay urine tests in pregnancy as they can help your doctor to diagnose any unusual disorder in the body.  

What is an indication that you need to visit your doctor?

Change in urine color is normal during pregnancy, just like the other changes that the body goes through. As said before, the change in the color of urine is not always an indicator of an underlying problem. It could simply be a result of dehydration, and drinking more water will solve the issue.

Therefore, if you notice a change in color of urine, there is no need to panic or feel scared. Hydrate yourself and drink enough water. However, if the urine color does not change back to normal, visit your doctor.