Gestational Diabetes Test

Gestational diabetes mellitius is also called GDM. It affects more than 100.000 women every year. Gestational diabetes is also known as glucose intolerance in women during pregnancy. This disease especially occurs amongst non-diabetic women and it usually begins during fifth or sixth month of the pregnancy. Diabetes is a disease, that disables the insulin production within the pancreas. Along with the trouble in insulin secretion, it is said that the mixed emotions of excitement and anxiety, that an expecting mother goes through, can also lead to gestational diabetes. The best way of early detection of gestational diabetes is the test which can be performed after the 24th week of pregnancy.

What is Gestational Diabetes?
In normal conditions, the meal that we consume, gets broken down into glucose (sugar). This glucose then gets mixed into bloodstream via insulin, which is an essential hormone produced by the pancreas. During gestational diabetes, insulin gets blocked by various hormones that are essential during pregnancy. These hormones are - progesterone, estrogen, prolactin, cortisol and human placental lactogen, all of which are present in the placenta. This process of blocking the insulin is also called insulin resistance. The insulin resistance level starts to increase along with the development of the pregnancy.

In few cases, the pancreas struggles to adjust the required amount of insulin production, which leads to the condition known as gestational diabetes. It is a fact that any pregnant woman can get diagnosed with gestational diabetes but sometimes, a few conditions put some women at higher risk levels than the other women. These things include - pregnancy after the age of 30, women having a family history of diabetes, women suffering with obesity and high blood pressure levels, women having too much amniotic fluid, and women who have had gestational diabetes during their earlier pregnancies.

Gestational Diabetes Test
There are two methods which are used for the early detection of the gestational diabetes. Both of them are performed on the outpatient basis, which means that the patients don't need to get admitted to the hospital. Amongst these two types, the first type of gestational diabetes test is called 'glucose challenge screening test'. This procedure involves drinking glucose in the form of a sweetened drink called glucola. This glucose is absorbed immediately in the system leading to rise in the blood sugar levels (within 30 to 60 minutes). The blood samples are collected from the patient after an hour of drinking this liquid. Tests performed on these collected blood samples explain the rate of metabolism of glucose.

The other type of test is called 'glucose tolerance diagnostic test'. In this test, a pregnant woman is asked to fast for about 8 to 10 hours, prior to the test. Then the patient is asked to drink a glucose laden drink and afterwards, three blood samples are collected from the patient over the next three hours. After comparing the results of the all three blood samples, is when the end result of the test is disclosed. The first type of test doesn't require any special preparations, while some preparations are required for the latter test for gestational diabetes.

Test Preparation
As I said earlier, there are no special preparations needed for the first type of testing during pregnancy. But the second type of test requires special preparations and dietary modifications. For instance, it is important to have a balanced diet for at least 3 days prior to the test. The diet must contain at least 150g to 200g of carbohydrates per day. Also, it is very important to avoid alcohol consumption, smoking and strenuous exercises before the test. It is also important to make the doctor aware about the drugs (both prescribed as well as non-prescribed) that the patient is consuming. The diagnostic test may take more than 4 hours. It is important for the patient to sit quietly during these proceedings, as her activities can interfere with the test results.

Though negligible, there are a few side effects of this test, that can occur due to the glucose drink, which is consumed by the pregnant woman during the test. They include, vomiting and nausea along with mild headache. These side effects generally fade away as time progresses. The test is generally performed anytime between the 24th to the 28th week of pregnancy. However, a woman having a history of gestational diabetes, may need to get the test done during the 13th week of her pregnancy.

As an added measure, follow the aforementioned gestational diabetes test instructions like having a balanced diet, healthy lifestyles and avoiding smoking, alcohol consumption and strenuous exercises. These are a few basics which can lead you towards a healthy, happy and risk free childbirth!