Pregnant women can have their urine tested for a variety of things. They can be done by providing a urine sample in jar or a sterile sample to look for an infection, or by passing urine directly onto a reagent strip of coloured litmus paper (called a dipstick). How, when and why your urine may be tested varies between caregivers and hospitals. It may be a standard routine procedure done at every pregnancy visit or something that is only done for some women to investigate possible health concerns.
Routine urine testing at every pregnancy visit is becoming less common in Australia, mainly because it has been found to have little benefit for either the woman or her baby, unless other physical signs are present (such as higher blood pressure). However, some caregivers continue to routinely test every woman's urine at every pregnancy visit. If this is the case, you may be asked to bring a sample in a container to each visit, or to simply test your own urine in the toilet when you arrive for your check-up.
The following is a general guide as to why your urine may be tested and what your caregiver is looking for.
Pregnancy tests
Urine infection
Protein
Glucose
Ketones
Pregnancy tests
The first urine test most women have is a pregnancy test. Modern urine pregnancy tests rely on an immunoassay testing technique to detect the presence of human gonadotrophin hormone or HCG, which changes the colour of a line or dot marker. If a pregnancy test is used as directed and done when the next period is overdue, they can be up to 97% accurate. However, if the test is done incorrectly, too early and/or with a weak (or dilute) urine sample, they are about 75% accurate.
Urine pregnancy tests can be purchased in supermarkets and pharmacies to use at home. Similar tests may also be used by local doctors or women's health nurses during a medical check to detect a pregnancy, or as a secondary confirmation of your home pregnancy test (hpt). You can read more in