Testing your pee in pregnancy

Testing your pee in pregnancy. It's lovely isn't it, having to pee into a tiny little pot when you can barely see your feet let alone your vagina! If you're lucky, you may be given funnel to help guide you! A urine test is used to assess bladder or kidney infections, diabetes, dehydration, and preeclampsia by screening for high levels of sugars, proteins, ketones, blood and bacteria (leucocytes can sometimes mean there is an infection but not always) High leels of sugars may suggest gestational diabetes. Your doctor or midwife may suggest you go for further testing if the test stick comes back high. Higher levels of protein may suggest a possible urinary tract infection or kidney disease. Additionally, preeclampsia may be a concern if higher levels of protein are found later in pregnancy, especially when combined with high blood pressure. Be prepared to provide urine samples regularly throughout your pregnancy. In the UK we test at every appointment!