All pregnant women should be screened for gestational diabetes during their pregnancy. Screening may be done by taking the woman's medical history and examining certain risk
factors, but an oral glucose tolerance test is also recommended. The oral glucose tolerance test is used to screen for gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes is a specific type of diabetes that can develop in some women late in pregnancy (usually after the 24th week). Women who develop this complication do not have
diabetes before becoming pregnant. The test is generally given between the 24th and 28th week of pregnancy. If you have had gestational diabetes before, or if your
health care provider is concerned about your risk of developing gestational diabetes, the test may be performed before the 13th week of pregnancy. The oral glucose tolerance test involves quickly drinking a sweetened liquid (called Glucola), which contains 50g of glucose. The body absorbs this glucose rapidly, causing blood glucose levels to rise within 30 to 60 minutes. A
blood sample will be taken from a vein in your arm about 60 minutes after drinking the solution. The blood test measures how the glucose solution was metabolized (processed by the body). A
blood glucose level of 140mg/dL or higher will identify 80% of women with gestational diabetes. When that cutoff is lowered to 130mg/dL, the identification increases to 90%. If your blood glucose level was greater than 130 mg/dL, your provider will likely recommend you take another diabetes screening test that requires you to fast (not eat anything)
before the test. During this second test, called the 100-gram oral glucose tolerance test, your blood glucose level will be tested four times during a three-hour period after drinking the sweetened (many flavors are available) cola-like drink. If two out of the four blood tests are abnormal, you are considered to have gestational diabetes. If you are at risk of developing gestational diabetes, you’ll usually be offered an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). There are some risk factors that increase your chance of developing gestational diabetes. Your midwife will ask you about these at your booking appointment, which happens around 8-12 weeks of pregnancy. If you have any of the risk factors, you’ll be offered a test for gestational
diabetes when you're between 24 and 28 weeks pregnant. Gestational diabetes does not usually cause any symptoms, but some women may have some if their blood glucose levels get too high. Speak to your midwife if you have any concerns. Talk to your midwife if you think you are at risk of developing gestational diabetes, but you haven’t been
offered a screening test. You don’t have to take the test if it’s offered, but there are a few things to keep in mind: "I wasn’t obviously skinny, but I wasn’t massively obese either… I had no symptoms whatsoever. I had no expectation that the test would be anything other than a formality." Beth, mum of two You will be offered a choice of the following 2 tests to see if you have it again: Gestational diabetes is tested with the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). The test is simple and will not harm you or your baby. It may be carried out at your usual clinic or at a special diabetes clinic. Step 1 You will usually be asked not to eat
anything and drink only water the night before and on the morning of the test. Step 2 A nurse takes a blood sample from you to measure your blood glucose level. Step 3 You drink a glucose (sugary) drink. Step 4 After 2 hours, the nurse takes another blood sample and measures your blood glucose level, to see how your body processed the sugars in the glucose drink. You shouldn’t eat anything before or during the glucose tolerance test. But if you don’t live near the clinic it’s a good idea to bring a snack with you, as you will probably be hungry afterwards. After the testGestational diabetes can develop at any time during pregnancy. So even if the OGTT shows that you don’t have gestational diabetes, talk to your midwife if you go on to develop any symptoms. It’s important to trust your instincts and tell your health professional if there is anything that you are worried about. Review datesReviewed: 23 July 2020 | Next review: 23 July 2023 Find out more about gestational diabetes
When are you tested for gestational diabetes?If you're at average risk of gestational diabetes, you'll likely be screened during your second trimester — between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy. If you're at high risk of gestational diabetes, your health care provider may recommend doing the screening as early as your first prenatal visit.
Can you test for gestational diabetes at 12 weeks?A blood test conducted as early as the 10th week of pregnancy may help identify women at risk for gestational diabetes, a pregnancy-related condition that poses potentially serious health risks for mothers and infants, according to researchers at the National Institutes of Health and other institutions.
Can gestational diabetes be tested before 24 weeks?Screening is recommended after 24 weeks of gestation. Screening for GDM may occur earlier than 24 weeks of gestation in high-risk women, but there is little evidence about the benefits and harms of screening before 24 weeks of gestation.
Do they routinely test for gestational diabetes?Screening for gestational diabetes
During your first antenatal appointment (also called a booking appointment) at around week 8 to 12 of your pregnancy, your midwife or doctor will ask you some questions to determine whether you're at an increased risk of gestational diabetes.
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When do you screen for gestational diabetes
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