Urine tests during pregnancy

Are you pregnant and wondering why you are being asked to bring in a urine sample to your doctor's office and not just once, but at every visit? Urine tests during pregnancy are part of routine prenatal care. But what do they check for? Are they really necessary? Let's take a look at the list of pregnancy complications and diseases that can be revealed through your sample of pee.

Urinary tract infection

UTIs are always annoying and have the potential to spread to your kidneys and cause an infection there. Most of the time, you will have that very noticeable burning sensation while you pee, and you'll need to go to the bathroom very often. But it is possible to have a urinary tract infection without symptoms too. That is why you are tested when you're pregnant. UTIs can cause problems during pregnancy, and they need to be treated.

Preeclampsia

Protein spillage in the urine can be a sign of preeclampsia, a serious pregnancy complication that usually happens in the late second or third trimester. There is no preeclampsia treatment other than delivery. Protein in the urine and high blood pressure are the main indicators. Urine that contains protein can also indicate a UTI or kidney issues.

Gestational diabetes

Sugar in the urine is not a concern in itself, but high amounts can indicate gestational diabetes, a type of diabetes that develops during pregnancy. You will also be asked to do a more extensive glucose test for this type of diabetes at some point during your pregnancy; the urine tests just keep a regular eye on the situation.Your healthcare provider can also look for ketones, which turn up in your urine when your body starts breaking down body fat and is not receiving enough carbohydrates. This can be an additional sign of gestational diabetes.