Blood in urine during pregnancy: what to know

Blood may come from the urinary tract or from vaginal bleeding that is noticed while passing urine. A urinary tract infection can cause burning, urgency, frequent urination or lower abdominal discomfort; kidney infection may add fever, chills or pain in the side. Stones can cause sharp flank pain and blood. Pregnancy can alter urinary symptoms, so a urine sample is useful even when discomfort is mild. Bleeding in pregnancy can also have causes unrelated to urine and should be discussed with the maternity team.

Contact your obstetric or primary-care team promptly and describe the colour, amount, timing and any pain, fever or urinary symptoms. Provide a clean urine sample if requested. Take only medicines approved for pregnancy, and do not use leftover antibiotics. Drink fluids normally unless your maternity or medical team has given different advice. The clinician may arrange urine testing, a culture and pregnancy-appropriate checks to guide treatment. Mention any vaginal bleeding, reduced fetal movement or recent injury as part of the same call.

Seek emergency care for severe side or abdominal pain, fever with chills, repeated vomiting, fainting, heavy vaginal bleeding, blood clots, difficulty passing urine or feeling suddenly very unwell. Contact maternity services urgently for bleeding with contractions, fluid leakage or reduced fetal movement. Prompt care matters because an untreated kidney infection can become serious during pregnancy.

Does the sample show urinary blood or infection? Could the bleeding be vaginal? Which treatments are suitable in pregnancy? Do I need a culture or scan? What symptoms should take me straight to maternity or emergency care?