Pregnancy During pregnancy, a woman's body increases production of a pregnancy hormone called hCG. Elevated levels of hCG cause foul-smelling urine, especially in the early stages of pregnancy. In addition, dehydration during pregnancy causes uric acid to build up, which can create a bad odor in the urine.
Interestingly, some women may be more aware of the naturally occurring ammonia-like smell of urine during pregnancy because of their heightened sense of smell, research suggests.
Foul-Smelling Urine: Pregnancy
It's called hyperosmia. “That's why early in their pregnancy some women can't tolerate certain smells, whether it's perfume or certain foods. The increased sense of smell might cause a pregnant woman to notice the smell of urine more, even though it hasn't really changed,” Dr. Kaaki says.
Hormonal changes: In the very early stages of pregnancy, increased levels of the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) circulate in the blood, which can cause urine to smell different or more strongly.
During the first trimester is when most women report super-smelling powers. One theory is that it's actually your body's way of protecting your baby against external threats. The smell of things like alcohol, cigarettes and coffee can become repulsive – all things that can be harmful during pregnancy!
Traces of hCG can be found in the urine from three to four days after implantation, but the concentration needs to continue to build up to a level at which the test can detect it and give a positive result.
Things that can often make your pee smell stronger include: certain types of food and drink, like asparagus or coffee. not drinking enough fluids (dehydration) some medicines.
The results of the test is assessed visually for the dark blue that indicates the presence of hCG. A minimum of 500 mU of hCG/ml of urine can be detected easily and the test can be completed in 2 hours with good precision.
Your pregnancy urine color can turn dark at any point, but you may see dark urine more often in your third trimester, Zore says, due to the fact that as baby grows and presses against your bladder, you tend to have to urinate more.
Here's a fun fact: The hormonal changes that make it possible to grow a baby—estrogen and progesterone—can make your pee smell a bit different...to you, at least. “Urine can have a more pungent smell from the hormones produced during pregnancy, especially during the first trimester,” says Dr.
The first 72 hours of pregnancy symptoms are: late period, positive pregnancy test, implantation bleeding, tiredness, bloating and twinges/cramps.
Pee that smells like ammonia
If you detect a hint of ammonia in your urine, it could be a sign of a urinary tract infection (UTI). The odor suggests that bacteria may be swimming around in your urinary system, most likely in your urethra, kidneys or bladder.
Urine is mostly waste products and water and normally has a mild smell and a light yellow color. If you have more waste than water in your urine, it can smell more strongly. In most cases, a strong smell isn't a sign of disease. It's usually from your diet and medications, or it means you need to drink more water.
Pregnancy During pregnancy, a woman's body increases production of a pregnancy hormone called hCG. Elevated levels of hCG cause foul-smelling urine, especially in the early stages of pregnancy. In addition, dehydration during pregnancy causes uric acid to build up, which can create a bad odor in the urine.
Because as strange as it might sound, moms-to-be are known to have an uncanny sense of smell—in fact, it's often one of the first signs of pregnancy. So if you're suddenly gagging at the scent of garlic or ground beef (or can't even stomach a simple stroll through the grocery store), you might just be expecting.
Kidney dysfunction can also cause high bacteria and protein levels in the urine, which will contribute to a foul ammonia smell.
Things like missing your period, sore or tender breasts, feeling more tired and nausea (morning sickness) are common symptoms of early pregnancy. Some people have symptoms of pregnancy before they miss their period.
Your sweat glands are in overdrive, producing an increased quantity of a hormone called estradiol, which is the main culprit for underarm odor (2). Because this is so localized, the scent can be quite strong to some women. The good news is you're likely the only one noticing it.
Why Our Sense of Smell Changes During Pregnancy. Whether it's an odor that you've always found unpleasant or one that you formerly loved but now can't stomach, smell hypersensitivity is common during pregnancy. 2 It is occasionally referred to as hyperosmia, which is described as an overwhelming sensitivity to smells.