Just when you thought a 24-hour urine test couldn't get any worse...
...they come out with a new jug. Or should I say a short, squatty, squishy, funky new container? I guess it's been awhile since I've done a 24-hour urine collection, so I was in for quite a surprise when the nurse handed me, not the old standby orange jug of yesteryear, but this new, awkward, collapsible thing.
While I failed to capture a picture of this new container on film, I'll do my best to describe it: First of all, it's made of a really soft plastic - very malleable, so it bends easily, like a ziploc baggie would. Now - if you think for a moment about the intended use of said container - that it is to be filled to the brim with bodily fluids - you can imagine how unsuitable a flimsy, baggie type thing would be! Of course, there's a secure, screw-top lid, but it's kind of in the middle of the container...hard to, ahem, get to, if you know what I mean. Granted, the container is about a third of the size of the old one, which is nice for concealment purposes, and it's probably more environmentally friendly, but just think for a minute how awkward a contraption like this would be for a 29-week pregnant lady to use? Uh-huh. That's what I thought.
On top of the challenging logistics involved in the actual 24-hour collection because of the new container, I opted to take it to a follow-up OB appointment, rather than making an extra trip to drop it at the lab. In I walk with my bag of goodies, only to find out that the OB's office isn't up to speed on this new container. So - I have to transfer my hard-earned collection from this flimsy baggie-type thing into the old standby container. NOT an easy task, I can assure you. The nurse offered to help, but I could tell she really didn't want any part of that shabby looking container. I managed through - but I tell you - I'm going to do my best to keep that protein in check. That's an exercise I don't want to repeat anytime soon!
While I failed to capture a picture of this new container on film, I'll do my best to describe it: First of all, it's made of a really soft plastic - very malleable, so it bends easily, like a ziploc baggie would. Now - if you think for a moment about the intended use of said container - that it is to be filled to the brim with bodily fluids - you can imagine how unsuitable a flimsy, baggie type thing would be! Of course, there's a secure, screw-top lid, but it's kind of in the middle of the container...hard to, ahem, get to, if you know what I mean. Granted, the container is about a third of the size of the old one, which is nice for concealment purposes, and it's probably more environmentally friendly, but just think for a minute how awkward a contraption like this would be for a 29-week pregnant lady to use? Uh-huh. That's what I thought.
On top of the challenging logistics involved in the actual 24-hour collection because of the new container, I opted to take it to a follow-up OB appointment, rather than making an extra trip to drop it at the lab. In I walk with my bag of goodies, only to find out that the OB's office isn't up to speed on this new container. So - I have to transfer my hard-earned collection from this flimsy baggie-type thing into the old standby container. NOT an easy task, I can assure you. The nurse offered to help, but I could tell she really didn't want any part of that shabby looking container. I managed through - but I tell you - I'm going to do my best to keep that protein in check. That's an exercise I don't want to repeat anytime soon!
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