Being pregnant is both rewarding and scary. It is rewarding because you know you have a little one inside you and it is scary because you become very protective of the new life. The thought that anything about you and your body might affect or even harm the new life inside you is almost terrifying.
Then just as you get used to the responsibility of having this new life inside you, doctors and nurses start planning various tests. The test at about 24 weeks for gestational diabetes is quite scary as. Although you may not be diabetic yourself, the thought that there might be a problem with your sugar intake is quite alarming. Not least because you realise that you do not really have control over your body at that time.
Some mums, myself included, just decide to pass sugar through their system when pregnant. It was something I did during pregnancies. I have never been diagnosed with diabetes before or since. Neither have my children shown any tendency towards diabetes. It was just one of those things. However, when it was spotted and I had to go for further tests. It was quite alarming. However, it is really important to monitor sugar levels as they can be indicative of possible problems. The thing is that if there is a problem it needs to be dealt with in the early stages to avoid more complicated results. So really, although a little scary, it is worth it in the end since it is better to be safe that sorry.
Risk Factors
Mums to be who are known to be high-risk candidates are often asked to be tested a little earlier for gestational diabetes. This will often include all women over 25, those who are considered overweight at the time of the pregnancy and anyone who has a family history of gestational diabetes. Many women of Latino, Native American, African or Asian descent are also tested. It all depends on prevailing circumstances at the time of you pregnancy. The important thing is to realise that no matter how alarming it may be, the best that can be done is being done for both you and your baby.
Glucose tolerance Tests
Glucose tolerance testing for gestational diabetes comes in two forms, but both of them test your blood for sugar levels. They are similar to diabetes tests given for type 2 diabetes but can be done as an outpatient in hospital or at your doctor's surgery, depending on circumstances.
Test 1
This type of gestational diabetes testing is called glucose challenge screening. Basically, you drink an incredibly sugary beverage, then about an hour later your blood is drawn to see how your blood sugar levels handle such a large dose of glucose. There are no special preparations for this test and it is usual to experience nausea after drinking the liquid.
Unfortunately, this kind of testing for gestational diabetes is not always the most accurate and it is not unknown for you to have to take the test again. It is sometimes known as the three hour gestational glucose tolerance test as it takes a little more of your time than the basic testing described above.
Test 2
This is a much more involved and demanding test. To do this one you will need to fast overnight. It is always important to agree with your Doctor the exact time span but it is usually for ten hours. After the fast period, you drink what can best be described as a sickly sweet drink. After about an hour , a blood sample is taken followed by another one after two hours, then yet another one after three hours. The results are then studied closely.
This is a much more accurate way for doctors to check for Gestational diabetes. It should answer all the questions they have about you're your state of health with regard to diabetes during pregnancy. Although this last test might take a long time, it is worth every minute in the pursuit of taking care of pregnant mums and their unborn babies. After all, having babies means having to go to hospitals so it's best to relax and let the doctors do their job.
Karen Jones writes about gestational diabetes and other aspects relating to type 1 and type 2 diabetes. She also writes about low calorie diets and nutritional health. http://www.your-diabetes-tips.com
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