At each prenatal visit, the expectant mother will be asked to give a urine specimen that will be screened for the presence of sugar and/or protein.

Although a small amount of sugar normally may be present in urine, high levels may be a sign of gestational diabetes, a form of diabetes that develops during pregnancy. A positive urine test for sugar will usually be followed by a confirmatory blood test. Approximately four percent of women with no prior history of diabetes will develop gestational diabetes. Although it can occur at any time, most cases will develop during the later part of a woman’s pregnancy.

Gestational diabetes does not usually continue following delivery, but it does increase the risk of a woman developing type 2 diabetes later in life – about fifty percent of the women who have gestational diabetes will later develop type 2 diabetes. Women who have gestational diabetes with one pregnancy are more likely to also have it in any subsequent pregnancies. A blood glucose test for gestational diabetes is routinely performed during the second trimester.

A special diet, insulin, or both may be needed to adjust the glucose level down to normal. If the diabetes is not controlled, the mother may develop preeclampsia. Preeclampsia usually does not occur until the second half of pregnancy. The symptoms include high blood pressure (hypertension), swelling that doesn't go away, infections, and large amounts of protein in the urine. Maternal high glucose concentrations can also cause abnormal growth and development of the unborn baby. Complications of high uncontrolled blood sugar may require the baby to be delivered prematurely.

Although small amounts of protein are normally present in the urine, high levels may indicate infection of the bladder and kidneys.

Related Pages
Tests: Urinalysis, Glucose, Urine Protein
Conditions: Diabetes