women s health issues
Diabetes During Pregnancy
Diagnosis of Diabetes During Pregnancy
Blood tests to measure blood sugar Most experts recommend that doctors routinely screen all pregnant women for gestational diabetes, typically at 24 to 28 weeks of pregnancy. To check whether women have diabetes, some doctors first take a sample of blood, usually after women have fasted overnight, and do a blood test to measure the blood sugar (glucose) level. But the best way to confirm the diagnosis of diabetes is a two-part test that begins by having the woman drink a liquid that contains glucose. One hour after the woman drinks the liquid, doctors take and test samples of blood to determine whether the blood sugar level becomes abnormally high. If it is abnormally high, doctors give her a liquid that contains larger amount of glucose. After 3 hours, her blood sugar level is measured again. If it is still abnormally high, diabetes is diagnosed. This test is called the Oral glucose tolerance test . 