Screens for: variety of conditions including bacterial infections, sugar, protein, etc. These might indicate further issues like preecclampsia, gestational diabetes, urinary tract infections, etc.
Who does it: This is frequent performed at every prenatal visit with your midwife or doctor. It may be done by a lab tech, a nurse, your practitioner or even by the pregnant woman. It can be done at home or in the office as needed.
How it is done: Urine is collected in a cup or other collection device. Test strips are dipped in the urine and interpreted via a chart.
When is it done: Throughout pregnancy.
Accuracy: Varies depending on the type of screening and product used to test.
Risk to mom: She can miss the collection container and get her hands wet with urine. Does produce anxiety in some women.
Risk to pregnancy/baby: None known.
7/27/07
