New research is saying that we are missing many cases of gestational diabetes. They believe that the screening numbers need to be lower to include more women in the diagnosis. This will mean potentially three times as many women will test positive for gestational diabetes.
Most practitioners routinely screen forgestational Diabetes (GD) between 24-28 weeks of pregnancy using your health history and blood samples. First you drink a really sweet drink called Glucola, then you have your blood taken for testing. If you do not "pass" this version, then you will take a three hour test for gestational diabetes. Thankfully my doctor let me do the jelly bean alternative so I didn't have to drink the glucola.
Some of the researchers worry that with the increasing number of women being given the diagnosis of gestational diabetes, that they will overwhelm resources in the midwife and OB offices. Typically women with gestational diabetes can be treated with lifestyle changes alone, like diet and exercise. Though the goal is to decrease the rates of potential complications from gestational diabetes.
Related:
- Gestational Diabetes (GD)
- Diabetes in Pregnancy
- Glucose Tolerance Test (GTT)
- Jelly Bean Diabetes Testing
- Common Prenatal Tests
- Most Common Birth Defects
- Pregnancy Complications
Source:
Metzger, B.E. Diabetes Care, March 2010; vol 33: pp 676-682.