During pregnancy, a woman routinely receive many tests at each doctor visit to help determine the health of herself and the fetus. Physicians use a urinalysis as a screening or diagnostic tool to help detect substances in the urine associated with different metabolic or kidney disorders, according to the website Lab Tests Online.
Function
During pregnancy, a urinalysis can help the physician assess kidney and bladder function as well as hydration level. A urinalysis can also help screen for infections, diabetes and a condition known as pre-eclampsia by screening for sugar, proteins, ketones, bacteria and blood, according to the American Pregnancy Association.
Time Frame
Physicians conduct a urinalysis during the first prenatal visit to check the health of the kidneys as well as to establish a baseline for future visits. A physician will then be able to compare future periodic samples to the initial urinalysis to look for changes.
Performance
Once a urine sample is collected, the physician will either have a technician perform the test in the office or have it sent off for analysis. The National Institutes of Health explains that there are three steps to a urinalysis. The first step is to examine the urine for color and appearance. The next step involves viewing the sample under a microscope to examine the cells and look for urine crystals, mucus and other substances. The last step involves a chemical dipstick that looks for ketones, sugar, blood and protein in the urine.
Significance
A physician will discuss results with the patient to help determine whether there is a need for further testing. Patients who show high levels of sugar may have diabetes, or may have eaten a large meal or drank a sweetened beverage, according to the American Pregnancy Association. Physicians will determine whether to test for gestational diabetes if a woman is tired, consistently thirsty or displays other symptoms of the disease. Protein in urine often indicates a problem with kidney function, such as an infection. Protein found in late pregnancy can indicate pre-eclampsia. Ketones in urine indicate that the body is breaking down fats instead of carbohydrates for energy, which may indicate that a patient is not getting enough to eat. Bacteria in the urine may indicate a urinary tract infection.
Benefits
A urinalysis can help detect conditions early, because often substances such as protein appear in the urine before a person even begins to experience symptoms of a condition. During pregnancy, early detection of conditions such as diabetes and pre-eclampsia can help prevent delayed fetal growth as well as early delivery.
