Your health care provider might also tell you to:
Test your urine for ketones⁶ if needed

Your body makes ketones (pronounced KEE-tones) when it uses or breaks down its own fat. Your body uses fat for fuel when it can't get glucose. Ketones might appear in your urine if your meal plan is not providing enough carbohydrates or calories, if you skip meals or snacks, or if you go for more than five hours without eating. Your health care provider might test your urine for ketones at your prenatal appointments to see if you are getting enough glucose. Or, you may have to do the test at home, every day.

Your health care provider will give you more specific information about testing your urine for ketones, including how to do the test, where to get testing supplies, how often you should test your urine, and what to do if your urine has ketones in it. Ketone test supplies are available at your local drug store, pharmacy, or medical supply store.


Your health care provider might also tell you to:
Have your blood pressure checked² as indicated

Increased blood pressure may bring about a condition called preeclampsia. Preeclampsia¹¹ is a sudden increase in blood pressure after the 20th week of pregnancy that is associated with swelling in your face and hands. If left untreated, this condition can be fatal and can lead to long-term health problems. Daily or weekly blood pressure checks may be needed to detect any changes that might indicate preeclampsia. 

 If your blood pressure is high, your health care provider might also test your urine to see if it contains protein. Protein in the urine can also be a sign of preeclampsia. You may have to perform the test yourself, as directed, if your blood pressure is elevated. Your health care provider can give you specific information about testing your urine for protein, including how to do it, when to do it, and what to do if your urine has protein in it.

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