Pee Tests?!

Question

Question: So I switched from my OB to a midwife and have been seeing her since 20 weeks. I REALLY like her and trust her approach, but I’ve noticed she doesn’t test my urine at every visit. She takes my BP, measures my stomach, weighs me, and listens to the baby. I worry about pre-eclampsia (which they can detect by protein in your urine.) Should I worry and ask for a pee test? Do y’all get yours tested every visit?

Answer

You can always request a urine analysis if it makes you feel more comfortable. Knowing that, they really aren’t necessary. They are an additional diagnostic tool (protein in urine) if you’re showing the initial signs of preeclampsia (high BP, right epigastric pain {liver}, abrupt edema, headaches, blurred vision, etc). Other lab tests are also used to corroborate the diagnosis. 
Some offices ask all women for a UA every time “just in case” you come in complaining of a UTI, dehydration, or other common (relatively benign) complications of pregnancy. Because a UA can sometimes help confirm what is really going on and Mamas are more comfortable during the appointment if they use the restroom first, then why not collect a sample “just in case” while you’re there anyway.
Hope this helps and that you like the midwifery model of care (I love it)! I bet you anything your midwife would be more than happy to give you her own run-down of why she doesn’t ask for one every time. Good luck, Mama!

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I’ve never had a urine test...

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I got my urine test the first visit that’s it I get my stomach measure and weight that it

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My OB tests your pee for sugar, proteins, and signs of bacterial infection at every visit. It helps them to more quickly catch things like GD, pre-eclampsia, yeast infections, and other things.

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My doctor asks for a sample every visit but if you can’t/don’t want to they don’t care. I asked if I could skip them his time because trying to pee in a cup while my toddler terrorizes the bathroom is stressful, and she gave me specific appointments to plan on having to do it but I can skip them for the most part. She said it’s pretty outdated and unnecessary to test every single time.

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Midwives are more hands off than doctors. Mine said they only do urine tests if there are symptoms that indicate one, like pain or high bp.

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My doctor only does it occasionally. But every visit he checks weight, blood pressure and baby’s heartbeat

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I’m considered high risk for preeclampsia but I’ve never been requested to do a urine test (I thought this was weird too) but they check my blood pressure and that’s always good so I’m assuming that’s a more accurate sign? Maybe they check for protein in the urine if your blood pressure starts elevating. I’ve actually never thought to ask

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I get a urine test every visit

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When I go in I test my own urine with a test strip. I have to do it every time and also weigh myself. 
Definitely ask at your next appt. I’m sure there’s reasoning of when and why they do test.

Pee Tests?!

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