Diagnosis of Gestational Diabetes in Pregnancy

Diagnosis of gestational diabetes can be done by a screening test. Screening in pregnant women is the best way to identify all cases of gestational diabetes. Every pregnant woman with one or more risk factors should be offered screening test for gestational diabetes. Screening tests are routine tests during pregnancy check blood glucose levels in pregnant women.

Your doctor will evaluate risk factors for gestational diabetes in early pregnancy. If you are at high risk of gestational diabetes - for example, body mass index (BMI) before pregnancy is 30 or higher, or you have a family with diabetes such as mother, father, brother or son with diabetes, your doctor may test your diabetes at first visit.

Initial glucose challenge test. You will drink sweet glucose solution, then your blood sugar levels tested one hour later. If your blood sugar levels are higher than normal, then you have to undergo a second test, called the glucose tolerance test.

To prepare the glucose tolerance test, you have to fast for 8 to 14 hours before performing the test. The doctor will give other instructions to follow before the exam. Your fasting blood glucose levels will be checked before the test begins. Then you will drink sweet drinks. Your blood glucose levels will be checked 1 hour, 2 hours, and maybe 3 hours later. The doctor will use the results of tests to find out if you have gestational diabetes. If at least two of the readings of your blood sugar is higher than normal, you will be diagnosed with gestational diabetes.

Read : Gestational Diabetes Risk For Baby