Routine OB Urine Dips per Visits?

Dr. Chapa’s Clinical Pearls.

Routine, repetitive urine dipsticks (meaning at each prenatal visit) were introduced into prenatal care back in the 1960s and 70s. The idea was to act as an early screen for bacteriuria (ASB), proteinuria as a screen for preeclampsia, and glycosuria as a screen for GDM. That was based more on expert opinion rather than clinical trials. The utility of urine dipstick testing in pregnant women has been debated for years, with studies suggesting minimal use in asymptomatic patients. Urine dips as still integrated into clinical practice mainly out of tradition…But is this evidence-based now? And if it is NOT evidence-based to do this with every visit and with every patient, when SHOULD it be done? What does ACOG have to say? Well, turns out ACOG says a lot- so you’ll want to stay tuned until the end of the episode as we cover that and a lot more.