Pregnancy & Prenatal Testing

First, Second, Third Trimesters: Urine Screen for Sugar and/or Protein

At each prenatal visit, the expectant mother may be asked to give a urine specimen, which will usually be tested in the office using a dipstick to screen for the presence of sugar and/or protein. Although small amounts of both sugar and protein are normally present in urine, high levels can indicate a problem and may call for further testing, such as with a urine protein test, full urinalysis, or urine culture (to identify any bacteria or yeast present, see Bacteriuria). High levels of protein may indicate an infection of the bladder or kidneys (urinary tract infection, UTI).

Of particular concern during the second and third trimesters is preeclampsia (sometimes called toxemia or pregnancy-induced hypertension), a disorder characterized by high blood pressure and large amounts of protein in the urine that occurs in approximately 8% of all pregnancies. Symptoms include swelling, sudden weight gain, headache, and vision changes. Risk factors include first pregnancy; being pregnant with more than one child; age (teenagers and women over 40 years of age); being African American; and having pre-existing diabetes, hypertension, or kidney disease. It can result in a decrease of air and food getting to the baby through the placenta, causing low birth weight or other complications. If caught early enough, however, through routine checking of blood pressure and urine protein levels, health problems for the mother and baby due to preeclampsia can be prevented.

High sugar levels may be a sign of gestational diabetes, a form of diabetes that can develop during pregnancy. A positive urine test for sugar will usually be followed by a confirmatory blood glucose test, which is also routinely performed during the second trimester.