Leukocytes in Urine in Pregnancy: What It Means
If your antenatal urine test shows leukocytes, it means white blood cells have been found in your sample. White blood cells are part of your immune system, so their presence can be a sign that your body is fighting an infection somewhere in your urinary system. On its own, though, a leukocyte reading does not confirm an infection, and the sample can sometimes pick up cells from elsewhere. Your midwife will look at the result alongside how you feel and may arrange a further test to be sure.
What leukocytes in your urine can mean
The most common reason for leukocytes in pregnancy urine is a urinary tract infection (UTI), which affects the bladder or the tube that carries urine out of the body. Sometimes the cause is higher up, in the kidneys, which is more serious. Leukocytes can also appear simply because the sample was contaminated by normal vaginal discharge when you collected it. This is why a positive dip is a prompt to check further rather than an automatic diagnosis.
Because infections in pregnancy are worth treating promptly, your midwife may send the sample to a laboratory for a culture. This identifies whether bacteria are present, which type, and which antibiotics will work against them.
What happens next and how it is treated
If your midwife suspects contamination, you may be asked to give a clean-catch sample. This means wiping front to back, starting to pass urine, and then collecting the middle part of the stream into the pot, which reduces the chance of picking up cells from outside the bladder.
If a culture confirms an infection, you will be prescribed antibiotics that are safe to take in pregnancy. It is important to finish the full course even if you feel better quickly. UTIs are treated promptly in pregnancy because, if left, they can sometimes travel to the kidneys or be linked with premature labour.
What is normal and when to seek help
A trace of leukocytes with no symptoms is often nothing to worry about and may just need a repeat sample. Contact your midwife or GP if you have signs of a UTI, such as burning or stinging when you pass urine, needing to go very often, cloudy or smelly urine, or pain low in your tummy.
Seek urgent advice the same day, or call NHS 111, if you develop a high temperature, shivering, pain in your back or side, feel sick, or generally feel very unwell, as these can suggest a kidney infection that needs faster treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do leukocytes always mean I have an infection?
No. Leukocytes can come from a genuine infection, but they can also appear because the sample was contaminated. Your midwife may ask for a clean-catch sample and send it for culture before deciding whether treatment is needed.
Can a UTI harm my pregnancy?
A UTI that is treated promptly is usually straightforward. The reason midwives take them seriously is that an untreated infection can occasionally spread to the kidneys or be associated with early labour, so it is best to report symptoms and complete any antibiotics prescribed.
How can I reduce my chance of a UTI?
Drinking plenty of water, not holding on when you need to wee, and wiping front to back can all help. These are gentle habits rather than guarantees, so still report any symptoms to your midwife.
Always speak to your midwife or GP for advice tailored to your own pregnancy.
Further reading:
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.
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