Routine urine tests are part of prenatal visits to screen for infections or other conditions. Testing for the presence of protein in the urine (proteinuria) is necessary to determine whether kidney function is normal. Although protein is normally absent in urine, it is common to have a small amount during pregnancy. It may indicate kidney dysfunction, but it may also be related to infections, stress, or other conditions that need to be evaluated further. Causes of the presence of protein in urine during pregnancy1. Preeclampsia. Women with this condition suffer from high blood pressure during pregnancy, accompanied by water retention and protein in the urine. It can lead to complications including low birth weight babies. However, if diagnosed and treated early, affected women can give birth to normal babies. Treatment involves eating a healthy, low-salt diet and exercising regularly as recommended. Watch a video for more information: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2t4BKI6NtTk2. Kidney infection or urinary tract infection (UTI). UTI can cause protein to appear in the urine. If you feel the urge to urinate more frequently and experience some discomfort while urinating, you may have a urinary tract infection. If not treated promptly, this condition can cause a kidney infection, which manifests as fever and chills, nausea, vomiting, and back pain. Urinary tract infections may not have any adverse effects on the baby, but a kidney infection can lead to premature labor and low birth weight babies.3. Other causes. Factors that can cause transient increases in urinary protein include emotional stress, fever, exposure to extreme temperatures, dehydration, medications, and strenuous exercise. Some medical conditions, however, can cause proteinuria that needs further investigation, such as heart disease… middle of paper… simple. This test confirms the presence of the infection and suggests which antibiotics can be used to treat the infection effectively. Screening for urinary tract infections is important even in women who do not have any symptoms. The risk of developing UTIs late in pregnancy is relatively small if the urine test is negative for UTIs during the first prenatal visit. Summary Protein in urine during pregnancy may or may not indicate a serious condition. During prenatal visits, a routine urine test should be performed to screen for proteins and other substances associated with conditions that may affect the mother and baby. Works Cited http://voices.yahoo.com/what-does-protein-urine-during-pregnancy -mean-8385193.html?cat=5 http://www.babycenter.ca/x542263/what-does-it -mean-if-i-have-protein-in-my-urine http://www.babycenter.com/0_urine-tests-during-pregnancy_1699.bc?showAll=true