The art of ..... in a cup!

As promised, this blog remains an “unrated” and comical full disclosure of pregnancy with diabetes. That’s your warning, read on if you dare…..

This weekend I had the pleasure of practicing the art of peeing in a cup. You heard me correctly! Beginning early Sunday morning until early this morning I collected and stored (in the refrigerator) every ounce of urine coming out of me. For those of you who have been pregnant before, you know that this is quite the collection! Additionally, I had to keep the urine collection cool while traveling to my in laws for Easter. Oh what fun to tote around a cooler of your goodies!

This morning I dropped off the specimen at my OB’s office and had corresponding blood work. Instead of toting the large, orange urine container in the office, I stored it in a Wegmen’s recyclable shopping bag. The receptionist asked where my specimen was and thanked me for disguising it; she said that it often makes others in the waiting room uncomfortable to tote it around in your arms…. I thought, no $hit!

The above test/ collection is to measure the amount of protein being spilled into my urine. All diabetics have a small amount spilled into their urine and this is also how they test for pre-eclampsia in the later stages of pregnancy. My medical team wanted a baseline to work from so that they did not unnecessarily freak out if in month #8 when they saw protein in the urine. I for one got some practice in aiming this weekend which is helpful for the urine collection that occurs each time I’m at the OB and endured embarrassment (in my home, on the road, at my in laws, in my OBs office) all in the name of the bean. The things you’ll do for love! Hehe….