High White Blood Cell Count High Neutrophils – During pregnancy, blood volume increases by up to 50%. As hemoglobin levels and hematocrit (X) the percentage of red blood cells (RBCs) in the blood decrease (especially in the last trimester), the platelet count also decreases slightly. However, white blood cells (WBCs) in the blood increase after pregnancy, which is called leukocytosis.

Leukocytes, or white blood cells, are classified into granulocytes (lymphocytes and monocytes) and granulocytes (eosinophils, neutrophils, and basophils), which make up the body’s immune system and fight infection (1).

High White Blood Cell Count High Neutrophils

Read this post to learn about the causes of high white blood cell count during pregnancy and the complications associated with this condition.

The Importance Of White Blood Cell Count For Autoimmune Disease By Dr. Hugh Wegwerth

After pregnancy, there is a gradual increase in the normal white blood cell count (leukocytosis), with a slight shift toward increased neutropenia.

Leukocytosis begins in the first three months of pregnancy, continues throughout pregnancy, reaches its peak during childbirth, and usually returns to normal after four weeks (1) (2).

The condition of pregnancy XA is characterized by the onset of hypertension, protein in the urine, water retention, and gestational diabetes

(GDM) (3) (4). Therefore, your white blood cell count should be correctly interpreted and correlated during your antenatal visits and postpartum care (1).

What Does A High White Blood Cell Count (leukocytosis) Mean?

During pregnancy, white blood cells are checked frequently to look for signs of infection or inflammation in the body. WBC levels rise from eight to forty weeks into pregnancy. As shown in the chart below, it peaks around week 32 and begins to slope downwards (12).

Even in healthy pregnancies, it is normal for a woman’s white blood cell count to increase, especially at the end of pregnancy. However, if this elevation is accompanied by any signs of infection or other medical conditions, it will likely require further testing and evaluation.

Specific causes of high white blood cell counts include bacterial or viral infections, leukemia, rheumatoid arthritis, tuberculosis, and certain medications (such as epinephrine).

XA is a neurotransmitter responsible for the body’s fight-or-flight response (corticosteroids), severe allergic reactions, and even extreme stress. Any bacterial or viral infection in the body can lead to a person’s white blood cell count being high.

White Blood Cell Count

However, due to the physiological stress caused by pregnancy, you may have a higher number of white blood cells even in a normal pregnancy. Hence, maternal leukocyte count cannot be a primary screening technique to detect severe pregnancy complications (5). Conversely, an increased number of white blood cells in a urine sample indicates a urinary tract infection (UTI) (6).

Recalling the events of her visit to the emergency room (due to suspected blood in her urine) during pregnancy, the mother of twin girls says: “The doctor came to tell me that my white blood cell (WBC) count was high and yes, actually blood in my urine. I ended up being diagnosed with a minor bladder infection, which caused blood in my urine. Pregnancy-friendly antibiotics will do the trick to get rid of them (i).”

XA’s complex system of glands and organs that produce hormones, metabolic processes, and the reproductive system undergoes several changes to nourish the developing fetus and prepare the body for labor and birth. As pregnancy progresses, this physiological and emotional stress results in leukocyte count as the leukocytes accept stimulatory impulses (7).

During a healthy pregnancy, leukocytosis is generally referred to as an increase in the proportion of neutrophils in the blood. However, there are many types of white blood cells, and high levels of other white blood cells may indicate different diagnoses (1) (8).

High White Blood Cell Count: Causes, Types, And More

The increase in white blood cell count is mainly due to an increase in the number of neutrophils and lymphocytes (1).

Studies have shown that the number of lymphocytes decreases during the first and second trimesters and increases during the third trimester (1).

Routine blood tests during pregnancy, such as a complete blood count (CBC), usually measure the number of white blood cells. Your doctor may perform diagnostic tests for hemoglobin, white blood cell count, and platelets at almost every prenatal care visit to look for conditions that may complicate your pregnancy (6).

High white blood cell counts may not cause any symptoms during pregnancy. However, symptoms of high white blood cell count in people who are not pregnant usually include (9)

Evaluation Of Patients With Leukocytosis

If you discover any of these symptoms during pregnancy, contact your healthcare provider, as it may be a sign of infection or an underlying medical complication.

Although leukocytosis is common during pregnancy, it can also result from an underlying problem that typical prenatal white blood cell count tests cannot detect, necessitating additional testing. In the first trimester, high platelet levels and white blood cell counts are associated with an increased risk of miscarriage, highlighting the importance of monitoring these signs for potential pregnancy complications (5) (10).

High white blood cell count during pregnancy, also known as leukocytosis, is caused by the physiological stress of pregnancy. A moderate increase in the number of white blood cells during pregnancy is normal. However, if the white blood cell count is abnormally high, this may indicate an underlying condition or infection (8).

Routine blood tests performed by health care providers throughout pregnancy help monitor any potential abnormalities and ensure the health of the mother and baby. However, you can take general precautions, such as maintaining hygiene, staying hydrated, eating a balanced diet, and following prescribed medications religiously, to reduce the risk of infections and inflammatory conditions (13).

Did You Have Leukocytes In Your Urine? Or Blood In Your Urine? Or Really Low Lymphocytes In Your Blood? What About High White Blood Cells In Your Urine? My Doctors Think I

Although there can be no distinct imaging signs of high white blood cell counts during pregnancy, some women may experience a tendency to bleed easily, high fever, fatigue, and weight loss. In addition, during pregnancy, there may be an increase in white blood cell (WBC) counts that begin as early as the first trimester of pregnancy. This is due to the sudden changes associated with pregnancy that occur in the body. While a slight increase in white blood cell counts can be expected during pregnancy, it can sometimes be a sign of infection, dehydration, or other medical problems. Therefore, it is ideal to seek medical attention if you experience any atypical symptoms during pregnancy to prevent adversities that may affect the mother’s health.

One indicator of blood disease during pregnancy is a high number of white blood cells (leukocytosis), which is usually normal. However, some underlying problems may also cause an increased white blood cell count during pregnancy. The chart below covers the effects of increasing various white blood cells during pregnancy.

Learn about the symptoms of high white blood cell (WBC) counts and effective management techniques. Get the answers you need to stay healthy during pregnancy.

The articles include first-hand experiences to provide you with better insights through real-life stories. Below are the sources of the personal accounts referenced in this article.

What Is Neutropenia?

Articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources created by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the accuracy of the information we provide in our editorial policy.

Dr. Miguel Razio Osorio started his career in 2004 and has 19 years of experience in various fields of gynecology. After two years of training and social service, he decided to specialize in G&O. Since 2013, Dr. Razo has dedicated his training and practice to improving the health of his patients in the field of Obstetrics and Gynecology, earning his certification as a Certified Specialist in… More

Reshmi Das has over four years of experience as a Clinical Coordinator, Medical Content Writer and Medical Conference Coordinator. Her lifelong interest in medical journals and writing has seen her write well-researched articles for. She writes articles on health and wellness for children, pregnant and breastfeeding women. Reshmi completed her graduation in Biotechnology from MIT School of Biotechnology, …More

Rebecca is a pregnancy writer and editor with a passion for providing research-based, engaging content in the areas of fertility, pregnancy, childbirth, and post-pregnancy. She graduated in Biotechnology and Genetics from Loyola Academy of Osmania University and obtained a degree in “Nutrition and Lifestyle during Pregnancy” from Ludwig Maximilian University Munich (LMU). She was in good health and…more

Leukopenia: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment And Cost

Anisha holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology from USTM, Meghalaya and a Master’s degree in Applied Microbiology from VIT, Vellore. With two years of experience, she worked on various research projects in the field of food science. In addition, she has internship experience in Oil India Limited as an R&D project intern. As a writer at, Anisha makes sure… MoreA high white blood cell (WBC) count, also known as leukocytosis or neutropenia, usually means an infection. However, there are other possible causes that doctors need to consider for proper diagnosis and treatment. Let’s explore the different causes of high white blood cell counts, focusing on neutropenia, and learn about the factors involved.

Neutropenia occurs when the number of a certain type of white blood cell called neutrophils increases. This is the main cause of high white blood cell count. Understanding neutropenia helps doctors identify the underlying condition responsible for the high white blood cell count.

Infection, especially bacterial, is the most common cause of neutropenia. An infection-related increase in neutrophils is usually easy to identify, but knowing the difference between bacterial and viral infections may require consideration of additional factors such as lymphocyte composition.

Inflammation in the body, seen in conditions such as rheumatic disorders, Crohn’s disease, and sarcoidosis, can lead to high white blood cell counts. Diagnosis of neutropenia due to inflammation often involves ruling out other potential causes and relying on the overall clinical context.

Low White Blood Cell Count: Causes, Diagnosis, And Treatment

Certain medications, such as corticosteroids or medications given to people with weakened immune systems

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