Gestational Diabetes Testing - What is it and What Are Your Options?

In recent times, there has been meteoric rise in the number of pregnant women suffering with diabetes, a condition commonly known as pregnancy gestational diabetes. As per the available statistics, around 100,000 women every year suffer with gestational diabetes, a condition that is also called as glucose intolerance during pregnancy.  However, a major portion of these women are not even aware of their condition until they reach the last stages of pregnancy.  Gestational diabetes is a condition that can be best controlled only when it is identified early.  And the only way to identify the condition is to screen for diabetes using different gestational diabetes testing methods.  

As per American Association of Obstetrics and Gynecology, there is no one specific method that can be used for screening pregnancy gestational diabetes. Usually, women get affected with gestational diabetes between 24 and 28th week of pregnancy. The general process of screening and diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus involves routine screening for blood glucose levels during this period. Ironically, even if the gestational diabetes testing turns negative, it doesn't indicate that the non-existence of the illness. The tests need to be repeated during every subsequent trimester.

When it comes to gestational diabetes testing, there are two commonly followed diagnostic methods used around the world:

1. One-hour Oral Glucose Tolerance Test: In this test, pregnant woman is made to drink a solution of glucola that contains 50g of glucose. As the glucose is absorbed rapidly into the system, it causes an increase in blood glucose levels. After 60 minutes, blood sample is drawn from the patient and the samples are analyzed. A case of gestational diabetes is suspected if the glucose levels are above 130-140mg/dL. In this case, patient need not undergo any fasting.

2. Three-hour Glucose Tolerance Test: This method of gestational diabetes testing is recommended only when the one-hour glucose tolerance test results are abnormal. In this test, patients are made to drink a glucola solution containing 100g of glucose. Blood glucose levels are tested four times during a three-hour period and results are analyzed. The first test is done before consuming glucola. Subsequent tests are done after every one hour. Patient is considered to be suffering with pregnancy gestational diabetes even if 2 out of 4 tests show abnormal readings.

Controlling gestational diabetes is extremely important.  Otherwise, it can result in various complications occurring in the fetus. Infants might suffer with conditions such as macrosomia or extreme obesity at the time of birth, hypoglycemia, respiratory disorder, jaundice or even juvenile diabetes.  If the new born turns macrosomic, delivery can be extremely traumatic both for the mother and infant.  In fact, in these types of delivery, babies might experience situations such as shoulder dystocia, fractured bones or nerve damage.

By keeping these different Gestational Diabetes testing methods in mind, you are far more likely to get a proper diagnosis. Early diagnosis can help both the mother and child so please do not hesitate to have these tests done if symptoms start to occur.

For more information on Gestational Diabetes, try visiting http://www.curefordiabetes.org - it is a website offering solid tips and information on different diabetes treatments and diabetes in general.

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