Question about urine samples when you see your OB

nmd9168

I was visiting my sister today, who is also pregnant (25 weeks), and she said her OB takes a urine sample every time she has an appointment. I've only had 2 urine samples taken since I've seen my OB. I'm 17 weeks. Is this normal? My mom even said that when she was pregnant with my sister and I, that they took urine samples in the late 80's every time she went to her OB. I was a little worried that I wasn't being checked thoroughly enough. Does your OB take a urine sample every time you go in?

magnolia305

I leave urine samples every time--for this pregnancy and last.  I am not sure how common that is, though?  

laurenjt808

For me, they take urine samples every visit.  Sometimes they give me a fast result and say it looks good and other times, they don't even mention anything about it afterwards.  Maybe it differs by doctors offices? 

nmd9168

@laurenjt808 I'm hoping that's the case. Both of mine came back normal, so maybe they don't think it's necessary? 
@magnolia305 Yeah, idk??? 

optbaby2017

I gave a urine sample during every visit throughout my pregnancy. I forget what all they were looking for - protein and ketones were two of them, which gave info about possible infections and blood pressure issues. 

ishmoney

Yes, @nmd9168, my midwife said they'll take urine each time, infections, etc.

halips

@nmd9168  yes, my OB took a sample with every visit, I was never sure why though, but checking for infections makes sense. I think they may also test for proteins. 

nmd9168

I ended up asking my OB why she doesn't do that and other Dr's do. She said that unless you are showing symptoms, she'll only test once per trimester. I guess the doctors at the University of Michigan (the hospital system that I'm going to) found it unnecessary and wasteful to test every appointment. 

NYTino24

@nmd9168 I also have them at every visit. FWIW, my urine test in the hospital showed white blood cells and they said it may be a UTI that caused the contractions, but they didn't actually do anything. The OB didn't do anything when I had my visit two days later either. 

rklinge0

I would honestly push for urine tests at each visit. They can test for pre e, infections, and misssd gd( glucose).  Some of these will pop up out of no where.  

jgl907

I do shared care in a remote village in AK and in Anchorage. They have me pee in a paper cup when I go into Anchorage. In the village, they make me do a clean catch every time. I prefer the clean catch method. With my first pregnancy (the one I lost), I had 2 UTIs and didn't show symptoms. They caught them and treated them early. It made me feel a lot better. This time, I actually had to call the clinic and go in because I had UTI symptoms... turns out it was just a stubborn baby camped out on my bladder, but better safe than sorry.