Diet Samples
Gestational Diabetes Diagnosis
How is Gestational Diabetes Diagnosed?
Women at high risk for gestational diabetes should be screened as early as possible during their pregnancies before the 24th and 28th week of pregnancy, as other women would be tested.
To screen for gestational diabetes, you will need to take a test called the oral glucose tolerance test. The test involves drinking a sweetened liquid (usually has to be drank under 5 minutes) which contains 50g of sugar. The body absorbs the sugar rapidly causing blood sugar to spike within 30 to 60 minutes. A blood sample is withdrawn from a vein in your arm 1 hour after drinking the glucose solution. The blood test will measure how the sugar solution was metabolized by the body.
A blood sugar level greater than or equal to 140mg/dL is seen as abnormal. Another test will be ordered after you’ve fasted for several hours which will occur over a 3 hour period.
In women at high risk of developing gestational diabetes, a normal screening test is followed with another screening at 24 to 28 weeks for confirmation on the diagnosis.
Recommended Reading:
- Gestational Diabetes Diet Plan
- Managing Gestational Diabetes
- Blood Sugar Levels and Gestational Diabetes
- Risks with Gestational Diabetes