About 10-15% of people will develop diabetes during pregnancy, known as Gestational Diabetes, around 24-28 weeks, if you are at higher risk , such as having diabetes in the family, having a high BMI, having had diabetes before and so on, you may develop diabetes earlier.
***Key Points***
The oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT or GTT) is offered to everyone during pregnancy to diagnose GDM.
If you are at higher risk of developing diabetes you might be offered the GTT earlier in pregnancy, around 14-16 weeks and then again at 28 weeks, when everyone else is offered the test.
Diabetes occurs when the hormones in your body are not able to manage the levels of sugar [or glucose] in your blood. During pregnancy some people are more likely to develop diabetes than others.
***Key Points***
***How will this impact my pregnancy and my baby?***
Usually the type of diabetes you develop during pregnancy goes away after the birth but it may increase your chances and your baby’s chances of developing diabetes later in life.
If you have diabetes during pregnancy and it is not diagnosed or managed well, your placenta may pass too much sugar and fat to your baby causing your baby to grow more than the average sized baby. If you manage your diabetes well during pregnancy the risks to you and the risk to your baby will be reduced.
***How will this impact my pregnancy and my baby?***
***Testing for GDM***
Allow about 3 hours to complete the test on the day you are having it. The GTT involves: eating your normal diet for at least 3 days before the test; fasting [no food and only sips of water if thirsty] from the night before about 8-10 hours before the test; a blood test is taken then within 5 minutes you are given a very sweet drink; you return for another blood test after one hour and again after two hours.
If your blood sugar levels are higher than normal you will be told that you have gestational diabetes [GDM] and it will be recommended that you see a specialist team who can provide advice to manage your diabetes. The team might involve a doctor, diabetes educator and/or dietician. Sometimes diabetes can be managed with diet and exercise and monitoring your sugar levels. Your baby may also be born with low blood sugar levels, so they will be checked after the birth.
***Testing for GDM***
References
Health Direct – Blood Glucose Test
