|
Unless you’ve had gestational diabetes during a previous pregnancy, or were diabetic prior to becoming pregnant, your doctor or health care provider will request you have a glucose screening test somewhere between 24 and 28 weeks into your pregnancy.
The 1 Hour Glucose Screening Test
This primary glucose test will not provide you with a diagnosis; it is simply a tool to determine if you may have a problem that requires further testing. The first test however, is simple.
You arrive at the lab or doctors office and are handed a fizzy drink that contains between 50 and 100 grams of glucose. It is syrupy and sweet and you must drink it within 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, the clock starts. One hour after consuming this drink your blood is drawn and sent off to the lab.
If this primary reading comes back registering high, which it does up to 25% of the time, then your health care provider will suggest you take the 3 hour glucose tolerance test which will give a much more accurate picture of how your body handles sugar. Only about 30% of the women who test positive for this primary test actually are diagnosed with gestational diabetes.
The 3 Hour Glucose Tolerance Test
The second test is much more involved, and you must fast prior to arriving at the lab. Consult your doctor about the exact specifics of fasting for some say that not even a drop of water after midnight is acceptable.
Arrive at the lab and inform them you’re there for a 3 hour blood glucose screening test. They will immediately draw your blood to get your fasting sugar level. Then you will be asked to drink another glucose drink within 10 minutes. They will begin timing you from this point, and will draw your blood each hour for the next 3 hours. You will have 4 blood draws in total.
Blood Glucose Test Results
EndocrineWeb states that any two draws with results higher than the following would result in a diagnosis of gestational diabetes:
- fasting glucose level higher than 105 mg/dl;
- 1 hour draw greater than 190 mg/dl;
- 2 hour draw greater than 165 mg/dl; or
- 3 hour draw greater than 145 mg/dl.
These levels are not set in stone; your individual doctor may use benchmarks that are either slightly higher or lower. Always consult your care giver for the final results.
Diagnosis of Gestational Diabetes
If you failed at least 2 of the blood glucose tests done during your 3 hour screening test, your doctor will likely confirm a diagnosis of gestational diabetes.
The next step is typically referral to 1) an endocrinologist or perinatologist, and 2) a nutritionist. These specialists will work with your doctor to determine if diet and exercise to reduce your blood sugars is the best way to deal with the gestational diabetes, or if medications are necessary. Your nutritionist will work with you to educate you on how to manage your diet with gestational diabetes.
Receiving a diagnosis of gestational diabetes can be worrisome and cause stress or anxiety, but the reality is that with a good team of health care providers to oversee your progress and your continued effort to maintain a healthy diet and to manage your gestational diabetes, there is little to worry about. |
ShareThis
