What Testing For Gestational Diabetes Is Like

One of the scary things about being pregnant is that you have to take a seemingly unending variety of tests to monitor your health and the health of your baby.   When you are about 24 weeks pregnant, you will need testing for gestational diabetes.  Although your blood sugar is a tiny, it can knock you and your baby down fast if it’s too much or too little.  Even if you do not have diabetes, you still need testing for gestational diabetes.

Risk Factors

You might be advised to get testing for gestational diabetes earlier if you are considered a high-risk candidate for gestational diabetes.This includes all women over 25; all overweight women at the time of the pregnancy: anyone with a family history of gestational diabetes; if you are of Latino, Native American, African or Asian decent.  Sometimes, even women who are low-risk candidates may still be advised to get testing for gestational diabetes.  It all depends on your particular circumstance.

Glucose Tolerance Tests

There are two types of testing for gestational diabetes, but both of them test your blood sugar levels.  They are commonly known as glucose tolerance tests.  They are similar to diabetes tests given for Type 2 diabetes.  They are outpatient tests that may be done in the hospital or in your doctor’s office, depending on your circumstance.

One type of testing for gestational diabetes is called the glucose challenge screening.  You drink an incredibly sugary beverage and then your blood is drawn an hour later to see how your blood sugar is able to handle this massive glucose dose.  Getting nausea after drinking the liquid is normal.  You don’t have to fast or do any special preparation for this.

Since this kind of testing for gestational diabetes is not always accurate, don’t be surprised if you are asked to do a back up test if your doctor is in any doubt.  This is called the three hour glucose tolerance test.  And yes, it takes a lot more out of your day than the previous testing for gestational diabetes.

For this test, you have to fast overnight.  Check with your doctor for specific lengths of time, but usually it’s ten hours.  You then drink the sickly sweet drink.  Your blood is drawn after one hour, then two hours, then three hours and the results are looked at closely.  This is a far more accurate way for your doctor to get the gestational diabetes information he or she needs about you.  Although it might take a long time, it’s worth it and lets you get used to hospitals.

Go here for more about diabetes symptoms and diabetic meal plan.

The Best Place To Go For Gestational Diabetes Information

When you get the diagnosis of gestational diabetes, your doctor or obstetrician will tell you a lot of important genetic diabetes information.  However, most likely you will too stunned from the diagnosis in order to really pay attention to what he or she is telling you.  When the diagnosis finally sinks in, it seems to be hours from when you can next call your doctor for answers to all kinds of questions.  Will you have to take insulin shots?Is your baby now doomed to get juvenile diabetes?  Questions like that.

Where Not To Go

Although it’s great to talk about your fears and ask questions to friends and family and well-meaning neighbors, they are not the most reliable sources of gestational diabetes information.Even if you find a girlfriend who has had gestational diabetes information, it might not apply to your case.  But talking to your friends can sure help you generate a list of questions.  It’s best to write this list down.

You also don’t want to rely on stories in popular magazines or newspapers.  Although they often have correct gestational diabetes information, it is often too general or highlights some of the most unusual, spectacular and scary cases.  And you probably already know that television is not the most reliable source of gestational diabetes information or any other information in the world.

American Diabetes Association

Chances are, if you’re American, you’ve been hearing about this non-profit organization all of your life.  It’s their “business” to promote accurate and up to date diabetes facts, news and tips.  This includes extensive gestational diabetes information.  They can also point you towards more resources to help you with the two big adjustments in your life – a baby and diabetes.

If you don’t have online access but do have a phone, then you can call the American Diabetes Association question call center at 1-800-DIABETES.  It’s manned by volunteers that will try to help you get all of the gestational diabetes information that you will need.  They can also help you by sending you pamphlets, telling you about any diabetes related seminars or support groups in your area and help you if you think you are being discriminated against because you have gestational diabetes.

Since this is a charity you will be calling, don’t be upset if they ask you for a donation.  Only give if you can afford it.  And if you or someone you know that speaks Spanish that is looking for reliable gestational diabetes information, there are Spanish speakers at the call center, too.

Go here for more about diabetes symptoms and diabetic meal plan.