Gestational Diabetes Screening
In women, glucose level in blood is increased during pregnancy. This condition is called Gestational Diabetes. In Gestational Diabetes, women do not exhibit any symptom. Some teats are conducted see whether they have Gestational Diabetes or not.
Often, these tests are conducted between 24 and 28 week of pregnancy. Most primary test is glucose screening test also called glucose challenge test. This test is recommended for all pregnant women. If woman is at high risk of Gestational Diabetes then tests may taken in 16 week of pregnancy
In screening glucose test, you have to drink 50 grams of glucose. After 1 hour practitioner will take blood sample to check blood glucose level. If results are normal (>140 mg/dl), a diet and exercise plan is given to you. If glucose level is above 200 mg/dl then most doctors consider you diabetic.
If results are between 140 mg/dl and 200 mg/dl then you require further tests like oral glucose tolerance test or 3 hour glucose tolerance test. Depending on results of these tests, practitioner will decide you are diabetic or not. Accordingly they will prepare diet and exercise plan for you. Sometime they also ask for insulin therapy.