Showing up to your prenatal appointment with a full bladder is always a good idea. The reason? There is a chance your provider may want to do a urine test. But why are urine tests done so frequently for some people during pregnancy? And what exactly are they checking for? Here are the details.
How Often Will I Need to Give a Urine Sample?
You can typically count on a urine test during your first prenatal appointment, and periodically throughout your pregnancy at a minimum if you’re considered a low-risk pregnancy. If your pregnancy is considered high-risk, or you are experiencing certain symptoms (such as signs of a UTI or high blood pressure), you may be asked to provide urine samples more often.
But the truth about how often you’ll need to give a sample depends on your provider’s protocols, as well as how your pregnancy is categorized. Some offices will ask you to provide a urine sample at every scheduled checkup. Luckily a common pregnancy symptom is having to go to the bathroom frequently!
Your provider will give you a cup and ask you to collect a small, clean sample of your urine. Many providers have clear instructions on how to collect your sample in their bathroom, however it’s good practice to wash your hands, use a wipe to clean your vulva from front to back, begin to urinate, then collect your sample midstream.
Why Do I Need to Provide Urine Samples?
Urine tests are an easy way for your provider to get a quick read on your health. Urine tests can indicate potential problems such as a bladder or kidney infection, gestational diabetes, dehydration and preeclampsia.
At your first prenatal appointment, your provider might collect a sample to send to a lab for a complete analysis and culture to check for things like high levels of sugar, proteins, ketones and bacteria.
At future prenatal checkups, especially if you’re a maternal-fetal medicine patient or categorized as high-risk, your provider’s office may conduct a quick dipstick test at the office to check for high levels of sugar or protein. This test is done by dipping a test strip into the sample, then comparing the resulting colors to a chart. A medical assistant may conduct this test, or your office may ask you to do it yourself and give your results to the provider.
What If There’s a Problem with My Urine Sample?
High levels of protein in the urine can indicate a possible UTI or kidney infection. But later in pregnancy high blood pressure levels, combined with protein in the urine, can also be a marker for preeclampsia. Your provider may ask you for another sample to send to a lab to test for a UTI, and may also measure other preeclampsia markers such as liver enzyme levels and blood platelet count.
If your provider diagnoses you with a UTI, not to worry. UTIs are common during pregnancy thanks to hormones that allow more bacteria than usual to enter your urethra. Your provider can prescribe a course of pregnancy-safe antibiotics in order to treat a UTI. However, if an untreated UTI turns into a kidney infection, a brief round of antibiotics at the hospital may be necessary.
Higher levels of sugar in the urine can indicate gestational diabetes. But it isn’t certain. You’ll need a blood glucose test to know for sure. However, if you have consistent levels of high sugar in the urine, feel tired or lethargic, are constantly thirsty or are losing weight, your provider may recommend a glucose tolerance test earlier than the typical 24-28-week mark of pregnancy.
Make sure your provider is aware of any history of UTIs, kidney infections or gestational diabetes so that they can provide you with the best care possible throughout your pregnancy.