Why Does Urine Smell Like Ammonia While Pregnant?

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Hyperosmia

A pregnant person on the toilet. — Yoss Sabalet/Getty Images

In the early weeks of pregnancy, a person may develop a heightened sense of smell, called hyperosmia.

Ammonia is found naturally in the urine, but it does not usually give off a strong smell. However, a pregnant person may become more aware of a faint smell of ammonia that they did not previously notice.

Dietary changes

During pregnancy, many people experience food cravings. Sudden dietary changes can cause the urine to smell different.

Certain foods contain nutrients and vitamins that may cause strong-smelling urine. These foods include:

asparagus
garlic
onions

Prenatal vitamins

According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), it is important that pregnant people eat well, as it can help the body handle the changes associated with pregnancy.

Along with eating a balanced diet, a person can take prenatal vitamins that will likely contain the following vitamins and minerals:

folic acid
iron
calcium
vitamin D
omega-3 fatty acids
B vitamins
vitamin C

Vitamins and supplements, especially those containing vitamin B6, can cause changes in the smell of urine.

Dehydration

When the body is dehydrated, the kidneys have less fluid available to dilute the urine, resulting in concentrated, stronger-smelling urine.

If a person does not drink enough water, the body will be unable to produce as much urine as usual. Urine will likely be darker than usual and might be bubbly.

Urinary tract infections

Pregnancy can increase the risk of developing a UTI. Around 8% of pregnant people develop urinary tract infections (UTIs), which can cause strong-smelling urine.

Most UTIs are caused by bacterial infections, usually by a species of bacteria called Escherichia coli or E. coli.

Aside from the effects on urine odor, UTIs also cause:

painful or burning urination
sudden, intense urge to urinate
dark or cloudy urine
pelvic or lower abdominal pain

UTIs can also be asymptomatic, meaning they do not show any symptoms.

It is important for pregnant people to talk with a doctor if they suspect they have a UTI to help prevent adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as low birth weight and preterm delivery.

Gestational diabetes

Gestational diabetes is a form of high blood sugar that develops during pregnancy. It is more common in the second and third trimesters.

A person with gestational diabetes may notice that their urine smells sweet. They may also experience:

increased thirst
frequent need to urinate
dry mouth
tiredness
genital itching or thrush

Prevention

Although a person may not be able to prevent their urine from changing how it smells during pregnancy, they can take steps to prevent dehydration and UTIs.

The ACOG suggests that a pregnant person drink 8 to 12 cups of water each day. This equals 64 to 96 ounces of water. Drinking plenty of water can:

aid digestion
help nutrients circulate in the body
help form the amniotic fluid around the fetus
help waste leave the body through the urine

A person can also take the following steps to help prevent developing a UTI:

Urinate after sexual activity.
Remain hydrated.
Wipe from front to back.
Avoid using douches, sprays, or powders near the genitals.

It is also important to urinate when a person feels the urge. Holding in urine for too long can increase the risk of developing a UTI and cause the urine to smell like ammonia.

»Learn more:How to prevent UTI

Treatment

A person may not require treatment as the strong-smelling urine will resolve when a person remains hydrated or no longer needs to take prenatal vitamins.

However, if a person develops a UTI, they will require a 5- to 7-day course of antibiotics. A doctor may prescribe cephalexin or nitrofurantoin.

Gestational diabetes often resolves after a person has given birth. However, during the pregnancy, they will need to be closely monitored. A person can take steps to manage their blood sugar during this time by eating a balanced diet and exercising. If this does not work after 1 to 2 weeks, a doctor may prescribe metformin or insulin.

Frequently asked questions

Is it a sign of a sexually transmitted infection (STI)?

Urine that smells like ammonia is not typically a sign of an STI.

Can drinking cranberry juice prevent UTIs?

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), cranberry juice and cranberry supplements may help prevent the risk of recurrent UTIs in healthy individuals. However, they stress that the research is limited and inconsistent.

Can probiotics prevent UTIs, and are they safe during pregnancy?

The authors of a 2025 narrative review note that probiotics in fermented foods may indirectly prevent UTIs. However, they also state that despite these effects, there is not enough evidence to provide a direct link between the consumption of probiotics and the prevention of UTIs.Probiotics are safe during pregnancy.

Probiotics are safe during pregnancy.

Summary

A pregnant person may notice that their urine smells different than usual. This can be because of a heightened sense of smell during the early weeks of pregnancy or because they are dehydrated. It can also be a result of a person’s diet or the use of prenatal vitamins.

In some cases, strong-smelling urine can indicate a UTI, and sweet-smelling urine can indicate gestational diabetes. If a person suspects either of these conditions, they should contact a doctor to receive appropriate treatment.

Pregnancy / Obstetrics
Sexual Health / STDs
Women's Health / Gynecology
Parenthood
Pregnancy Health

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Blau LE, et al. (2021). Women’s experience and understanding of food cravings in pregnancy: A qualitative study in women receiving prenatal care at the University of North Carolina- Chapel Hill. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7186144/
Bono MJ, et al. (2025). Uncomplicated urinary tract infections. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470195/
FDA announces qualified health claim for certain cranberry products and urinary tract infections. (2020). https://www.fda.gov/food/hfp-constituent-updates/fda-announces-qualified-health-claim-certain-cranberry-products-and-urinary-tract-infections
Gestational diabetes. (2022). https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/gestational-diabetes/
Habak PJ, et al. (2024). Urinary tract infection in pregnancy. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537047/
How much water should I drink during pregnancy? (2020). https://www.acog.org/womens-health/experts-and-stories/ask-acog/how-much-water-should-i-drink-during-pregnancy
Milani DAQ, et al. (2023). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557685/
Nutrition During Pregnancy. (2021). https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/nutrition-during-pregnancy
Saraiva A, et al. (2025). Probiotics and plant-based foods as preventive agents of urinary tract infection: A narrative review of possible mechanisms related to health. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11944753/
Sheyholislami H, et al. (2021). Are probiotics and prebiotics safe for use during pregnancy and lactation? A systematic review and meta-analysis. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8308823/
Smelly urine. (2023). https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/smelly-urine/
Urinary tract infection basics. (2024). https://www.cdc.gov/uti/about/index.html
Urinary tract infections in pregnant individuals. (2023). https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/clinical-consensus/articles/2023/08/urinary-tract-infections-in-pregnant-individuals
Urinary tract infections (UTIs). (2022). https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/urinary-tract-infections-utis/
Week 39. (n.d.).https://www.nhs.uk/start-for-life/pregnancy/week-by-week-guide-to-pregnancy/3rd-trimester/week-39/

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Medically reviewed by Barry I Aron, MD, FACOG, MSCP — Written by Jennifer Huizen and Bethany Grayland-Leech — Updated on May 30, 2025

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Frequently asked questions

Is it a sign of a sexually transmitted infection (STI)?

Can drinking cranberry juice prevent UTIs?

Can probiotics prevent UTIs, and are they safe during pregnancy?

Summary

How we reviewed this article:

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