At each prenatal visit during this trimester, a urine specimen will be tested for the presence of sugar and/or protein. (Refer to First Trimester section for further information; click here.)

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, carrying multiple babies, age (teenagers and women over 40), 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.