Leukocytes are cells that are in the blood in a suspended state and belong to the uniform elements, like erythrocytes and platelets. They perform protective functions, protect the body from the harmful effects of viruses and pathogenic microorganisms. Leukocytes are responsible for immunity. The norm for women is from 4 to 9 thousand in 1 microliter.
How to take a blood test
Different factors can influence the result of the analysis. The following circumstances can increase the number of leukocytes:
- eating immediately before blood sampling;
- excitement and stress;
- high physical activity;
- pathological processes.
In order for the results of the analysis to be most accurate, donate blood should be in the morning on an empty stomach. It is advisable to rest and sit for about 10 minutes before entering the office, do not worry.
What tests should a pregnant woman take
The he alth of a pregnant woman after her registration in the women'sconsultation is supervised by a specialist. In order for the doctor supervising the pregnancy to be able to adequately assess the well-being of the expectant mother, she often has to take various tests:
- general urinalysis - given before each visit to the doctor;
- general blood test - once a month;
- gynecological smear - twice (at registration and at the 30th week).
Special attention in the results of these tests is drawn to the level of leukocytes, the norm in women is almost the same as in men. An increase in the number of these cells may indicate the presence of any infection or pathology. This is especially dangerous during pregnancy, because. can have an extremely negative impact on the he alth of the unborn baby and the mother herself. And such an infectious disease as rubella, transferred in the first trimester of pregnancy, in general, is a direct indicator for abortion, because. there is a high probability of having a child with congenital deformities (cleft palate, cleft lip, etc.).
The rate of leukocytes in women preparing to become a mother does not differ from those of he althy people. However, in the second half of pregnancy, leukocytes in the blood may increase slightly. This is due to the physiological processes that occur during childbearing.
What is the rate of leukocytes in women
Indicators of leukocytes in women in the general blood test range from 4 to 9 thousand in 1 μl. During pregnancy, starting from 20-22 weeks, they may increase slightly, and by 38 - growup to 12 thousand in 1 µl. For a pregnant woman, such leukocytosis is normal. This is the response of the body to the stimulation of blood formation. On average, by the time of the expected birth, leukocytosis increases by 20% - this is a normal physiological process, it does not require treatment. Thus, the norm of leukocytes in a pregnant woman is from 4 to 12 thousand leukocytes in 1 µl of blood.
If the indicators are much higher than these values, this may indicate the following pathological processes in the expectant mother:
- infectious process provoked by bacteria or viruses;
- allergic reaction;
- injury or bleeding;
- purulent processes;
- diseases of the kidneys or other organs.
In any case, with a significant increase in leukocytes in the blood, the doctor will offer to undergo an additional examination and prescribe the necessary treatment or suggest immediate hospitalization.
Why do you need to pass urine so often during pregnancy
Pregnant women should take a urine test before each visit to their doctor at the antenatal clinic. The fact is that in the process of fetal growth, the uterus increases quite a lot in size and can put pressure on neighboring organs. The kidneys are in close proximity to the enlarged uterus and may suffer from excessive pressure.
The urine that forms in them must be constantly excreted. This requires a free outflow, and if it is disturbed, then in such a kidney it quickly developsinfection. In this case, leukocytes appear in the urine. The norm in women in their urine is from 0 to 6 cells in the field of view. With a slight increase in leukocytes in the urine up to 10-15 in the field of view, we can talk about the initial processes of inflammation. In this case, you should immediately take measures to eliminate it. If the number of leukocytes has increased to 30-50 in the field of view, this may indicate purulent processes in the kidneys or bladder (pyelonephritis, glomerulonephritis, cystitis). Such processes occur in pregnant women 5 times more often than in other people, and the reason is the excessive pressure of the uterus on the bladder and kidneys, which disrupts the free outflow of urine. The doctor conducting the pregnancy is likely to suggest hospitalization if the white blood cells in the urine are significantly elevated. The norm for women in this analysis is from 0 to 6 in the field of view. With any increase in leukocytes in the urine, an additional examination is necessary. In addition, the urine test evaluates the presence of protein. Normally, it should be absent. The appearance of protein in the urine of a pregnant woman may be a sign of inflammatory diseases of the urinary system or late toxicosis (preeclampsia). Preeclampsia is a very dangerous condition that can develop in the second half of pregnancy. Signs of preeclampsia: This condition requires urgent hospitalization and treatment. Vaginal swab must be taken wheneach initial visit to the gynecologist. This analysis allows you to identify the presence of pathogenic microflora, as well as determine whether leukocytes are elevated. The norm for a woman in a smear is no more than 10-20 cells. Sometimes, against the background of a decrease in immunity, latent infections make themselves felt. In this case, the number of leukocytes in the gynecological smear may increase significantly, which is evidence of the following pathologies: In some of these diseases, the number of leukocytes in the urogenital smear can be more than 100 cells per field of view (or cover all p / sp). This indicates an acute inflammatory process and requires immediate treatment. A pregnant woman is responsible not only for her he alth, but also for the successful development of her unborn child, so the tests prescribed by the doctor must be taken regularly. According to them, it is possible to catch the development of the pathological process inat the very beginning and prevent possible complications for the unborn baby and the he alth of the mother herself.
Leukocytes are increased. Pap smear: the norm in women
Conclusion
