urine samples... what do you use as a container?

[SusieFlo]

Hello, at most of my antenatal appointments so far I've been asked whether I've brought a urine sample with me (answered no) and then sent off to the loo to produce one. My GP has since told me that I should take a urine sample with me to every appointment, however nobody has given me any containers.

So - the question is - what do people use? I have a 28-week glucose screening today and am wondering whether turning up with a jam jar would be de rigeur...?

I normally turn up to appointments ask for a container and go to the toilet in the surgery, that way I don't have to rely on my brain (which has decided it no longer wishes to function correctly), alternatively just ask them for a few at the doctors surgery to keep for future appointments. I wouldn't suggest reusing them as your likely to get odd results (and it's not like they cost much prob about 4p each)

My mum once had to collect my wee in an Asterix party cup when I'd refused to produce a sample to order for the doc. It was the first thing to hand when she knew I'd gone in the loo.

I don't think it really matters what you use, based on that incident.

I'm glad I haven't had this problem, I don't know what I'd end up using! My mum once used one of those little tupperware snack pots and it came open in her bag on the way to the doctors!

I get given a clean pot at every appointment, or if the midwife forgets they give them out at reception.

I searched Mumsnet on what to do re: urine samples when I first encountered this and found out that I should be able to walk into my local pharmacy and buy a sample pot for between 50p - £1.

I do think it wouldn't kill anyone for them to just TELL YOU this kind of stuff. I first needed to take a sample with me to my booking in appointment. The letter told me to bring a sample. Why would they just assume I knew where to get a sample container? It's not common knowledge, is it? Producing offspring is not a medical procedure, if they want your wee they should have to tell you how to transport it, 9 times out of 10 you would still be able to produce healthy offspring regardless of whether you have given your wee to anybody, or supplied blood, or had your blood pressure tested, or had half their arm stuck up your flange seeing how far gone you are, and so on, and so on. Every single flipping midwife I've dealt with has treated me as though I'M the one with the problem because I don't work for the NHS, so I don't know how to make my pregnancy follow their rules. Grrrr ranty pants today.

I use the little jug that came with my iron (for water) to wee into and pour that into the pee tube.
My mw is pretty good and always checks I have a couple before I leave.

I use a she-wee to fill the pot. Handy for camping, walking, cycling and places where the loo is too nasty to sit on too

We have to re-use one pot. I thought it was a practical joke first time round!

Purrpurr I know exactly what you mean. The first question my mw asked me at my booking in appt was where did I want to have the baby! That was so far off for me at that point, I just wanted her to tell me what scans I'd have and why and what I could do to look after myself. I did feel that they assumed an awful lot.

I'm shocked at people buying pots and jam jars for wee samples! Doesn't every surgery reception have Universal or bijou tubes for sample collection? I used to pick up a container after every appointment. Reusing pots may give anomalous results.

Just ask the receptionist every time you go for your appointment,or the midwife at the end to take home for next time.As a pregnant woman it shouldn't ever be too difficult to do a wee a few minutes before.If you use anything else non - sterile and they dip it it may show up with false positive for UTI due to contamination.

I always used to pee in a disposable plastic up and decant for appts.

Duh!! Plastic cup not up

I was also asked to bring a sample and after initially panicking, luckily discovered I had a sample pot left from something else (I genuinely cannot remember what that was but I know I obviously didn't use it!)

I was surprised though that the midwife tested it and then plonked it (full) back in front of me. I was shocked that I was expected to take it back home full and clean it to use again!

I think I will go and buy some or ask my GP - my midwife is in a separate place and perhaps they have less supplies as it also seemed to be some kind of child care centre.

We have to buy our own pots from the chemist. There are signs up in the clinics and hospitals saying if you do not have a sample, you will not be seen, with directions to a local pharmacy.

We are also expected to unscrew the cap and hold the container while the midwife dips the dipstick. We then take our full sample pot home to dispose of ourselves.

Wowzers. Reading this has made me appreciate how lucky I am! So far I've been given a fresh pot each time when I arrive for my appts. However, I have purchased a cheapo plastic jug for decanting.

It would be much appreciated if all antenatal clients would bring the containers that they were given initially. It is frustrating to always have to provide one for an individual that will be using it each visit for nine months