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Gestational Diabetes - Exams and Tests
SYMPTOMS & TREATMENTS
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Experts debate whether all pregnant women need to be tested for gestational diabetes. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has found insufficient evidence to recommend screening women with no risk factors for gestational diabetes.3 But most doctors routinely test all pregnant women who are in their care. The American Diabetes Association recommends that all women who are not already diagnosed with diabetes be tested for gestational diabetes between the 24th and 28th weeks of pregnancy using the oral glucose tolerance test.1
Tests during pregnancy
If you have gestational diabetes, your doctor will check your blood pressure at every visit. You will also have certain tests throughout your pregnancy to check your and your baby's health. These tests include:
- Home blood sugar monitoring. Testing your blood sugar at home every day helps you know if your blood sugar level is within a target range. You may need to give yourself insulin shots to help control your blood sugar.
- Fetal ultrasound. This test may be used to see if you need insulin or to estimate the age, weight, and health of your baby. The ultrasound test also can measure the size of your baby's head and abdomen. This measurement along with other information can be used to help your doctor decide on your care. If your doctor thinks your baby is bigger than normal for his or her gestational age, then your doctor may decide you need to start taking insulin. Taking insulin when you have gestational diabetes will stop your baby from growing too big. Keep in mind that ultrasounds cannot always accurately estimate how much your baby weighs or whether there are other problems.
- Nonstress test. A nonstress test can help you know how well your baby is doing by checking your baby's heartbeat in response to movement.
Some doctors may recommend you have a hemoglobin A1c (glycosylated hemoglobin) or a similar test every month during your pregnancy. The A1c test estimates your average blood sugar level over the previous weeks to months.
Tests during labor and delivery
During labor and delivery, you and your baby will be monitored very closely.
- Fetal heart monitoring is used to see how well your baby is doing while you are in labor.
- Blood sugar tests are done regularly to make sure your blood sugar level is within a target range.
Tests after delivery
After your baby is born, your blood sugar level will be checked several times. Your baby's blood sugar level will also be checked several times within the first few hours after birth. One to 3 days after delivery, you will have a fasting or random OGTT.
Most likely, your gestational diabetes will go away after your baby is born. But because you are at risk for type 2 diabetes, you should have a glucose tolerance test about 6 weeks after delivery and a fasting blood sugar level at least once a year. Your doctor may recommend that you have additional glucose tolerance testing if your fasting blood glucose levels are normal or only slightly elevated.
Follow-up
Even though your gestational diabetes will probably go away after your baby is born, you are at risk for gestational diabetes again and for type 2 diabetes later in life. More than half of women who develop gestational diabetes will develop type 2 diabetes later in life.2
To make sure your blood sugar level stays within a target range, your doctor may instruct you to continue checking your blood sugar levels at home for a while. You will also have a follow-up glucose tolerance test 6 to 12 weeks after your baby is born or after you stop breast-feeding your baby. If the results of this test are normal, you will still need to have a fasting blood sugar test at least every 3 years. Even if your sugar level is normal, you are at increased risk of developing diabetes in the future. Eating a healthy diet and getting regular exercise can help prevent type 2 diabetes.
If you want to get pregnant again, you should be tested for diabetes both before you become pregnant and early in your pregnancy.
| By: | Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: March 7, 2011 |
| Medical Review: | Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine Alan C. Dalkin, MD - Endocrinology | |
© 1995-2011 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
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