Glucose Tolerance Test During Pregnancy: Don't be afraid, let's talk about this!

Are you about 24 or 28 weeks pregnant? Then your doctor may have asked you to have a ' sugar check'. Many mothers feel a little scared and anxious upon hearing this. Questions like "Will I get diabetes ?", "Is this test difficult?", "Will something happen to the baby?" come to mind. But there is really nothing to be afraid of. This is a very common test done during pregnancy . Let's talk about everything in a simple and clear way today.

Why is this sugar test so important?

During pregnancy, our body's hormones change a lot. Due to these changes, sometimes it becomes difficult for our body to control the amount of sugar (glucose) in our blood. Then the blood sugar level can become higher than necessary. This condition is called gestational diabetes .

This is a common condition that can affect about 10% of pregnant women. However, if it is not properly diagnosed and managed, it can cause problems for both you and your baby. That is why this sugar test is done to detect this condition early.

There are two types of these tests.

This blood sugar test your doctor tells you to do may actually consist of two steps. Not everyone will have to go to the second step.

1. First test (Glucose Challenge Test): This is like a test. It is done to see if you are at risk of developing gestational diabetes . This is a screening test .

2. Second test (Oral Glucose Tolerance Test - OGTT): This second test is only done if the results of the first test are abnormal. This is what confirms whether you have gestational diabetes or not.

Simply put, if the first raises a doubt, the second confirms that suspicion.

When is this test usually done?

This first blood sugar test is usually done between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy . However, if you have any of the following risk factors, your doctor may recommend doing this test earlier.

• If you had diabetes in a previous pregnancy.
• If anyone in your family (mother, father, siblings) has diabetes.
• If you are overweight ( obese ).
• If you are over 35 years old.
• If you have high blood pressure .
• If you have another medical condition like PCOS ( Polycystic Ovary Syndrome ).
• If a routine test detects sugar in your urine.

How to prepare for the test and how to do it?

The way to prepare for these two tests is a little different.

First test (one hour test)

This doesn't require much preparation. You can eat normally. However, doctors usually advise against eating too many sweet foods (e.g., cakes, donuts, sugary drinks) the morning before the test, as this can affect the results.

How to do it:

1. When you go to the lab, you will be given a sweet drink (Glucola) containing 50 grams of glucose. You must drink this quickly within 5 minutes.

2. Exactly one hour after drinking it, a little blood will be taken from a vein in your arm.

3. You cannot eat or drink anything else during this hour. It is okay to drink a little water.

The second, big test (the three-hour OGTT)

This is only done if the results of the first one are abnormal. This requires good preparation.

How to prepare:

• You should follow your doctor's instructions exactly.
• Usually, you are told to fast for 8-12 hours before the test. That means you can't eat or drink anything after 10pm until the test is over in the morning. It's okay to drink a little water.
• It is best to take this test first thing in the morning.

How to do it:

1. When you go to the lab, they will first take a blood sample to check your fasting blood sugar level .

2. Then, you will be given a sweet drink containing 100 grams of glucose.

3. Blood samples are taken again one hour, two hours, and three hours after drinking it. That means a total of 4 blood samples are taken.

4. You have to stay in the lab for these three hours. So if you bring something like a book, you won't be bored. You can't eat during this time either. You can drink some water.

Some people may feel a little nauseous or dizzy after drinking this sugary liquid, but that's normal.

How to understand the results?

Your doctor will explain the results to you when you get them, but it's good to know what the normal values ​​are.

If two or more of these values ​​are above normal during the three-hour test, your doctor will confirm that you have gestational diabetes.

What do you do if you are told you have diabetes?

Don't worry. This is a manageable condition. Your doctor will help you. Usually, you will need to:

• Diet control: You need to reduce sweet and starchy foods and get used to a balanced diet.
• Exercise: You can do simple exercises that are suitable for you, as recommended by your doctor.
• Checking your blood sugar levels regularly: You will be given a small device (blood glucose meter) that allows you to check your blood sugar levels at home.
• Medication: Sometimes, if diet and exercise alone are not enough to control blood sugar, you may need to take insulin injections.

What happens if this test is not done?

You have the right to refuse this test, but doctors do not recommend it at all. Because if gestational diabetes is not controlled, there may be certain risks for you and your baby.

• Risks you may face: High blood pressure (preeclampsia), increased risk of having to undergo a cesarean section.
• Risks to the baby: Excessive weight gain, low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) at birth, and increased risk of developing diabetes in the future.

Therefore, understand that this is an important test for the safety of you and your unborn baby.

Gestational Diabetes, Glucose Tolerance Test, OGTT, Gestational Diabetes, pregnancy sugar test, glucose test, pregnancy sugar test sinhala