Diabetes during pregnancy? Let's be aware of this (Gestational Diabetes)

During this time of pregnancy, you are thinking a lot about your own health as well as the health of your unborn baby, right? A word that we often hear, and sometimes a little scary, is 'gestational diabetes'. It is normal to feel a little scared when you hear this name. But this is actually nothing to be afraid of, if managed properly, you can bring a healthy baby into this world without any problems. So, let's talk about this in a simple and clear way today.

What is gestational diabetes?

Simply put, this is a temporary form of diabetes that some women develop only during pregnancy. It usually occurs towards the end of pregnancy, around 24 weeks. The important thing is that women who develop this condition did not have diabetes before becoming pregnant. So it is not a lifelong condition. The condition often goes away completely after the baby is born.

The reason for this is that certain hormones produced in the body during pregnancy slightly interfere with the function of insulin, which controls sugar in the body. So it is very important for every pregnant mother to be aware of this and get the necessary tests done.

Why are you telling everyone to take this test?

You may be thinking, "I'm not at risk, why do I need to take this test?" However, gestational diabetes can occur even in people who have no risk factors. That's why, in Sri Lanka and many other countries around the world, this test is recommended for all pregnant women .

When is this test done?

Your doctor will usually order this test between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy.

However, if you have had this type of diabetes during a previous pregnancy, or if your doctor thinks you have other risk factors, such as someone in your family having diabetes, he or she may recommend doing this test earlier, such as before 13 weeks . Your doctor will give you the best advice on this.

How is this OGTT test done?

This test is called the Oral Glucose Tolerance Test or (OGTT) . It is popularly known as the "sugar water test". That is exactly what happens.

Imagine what happens when you go to the clinic.

1. First, you will be given a sweet liquid (sometimes called ``Glucola'') with 50 grams of glucose dissolved in it. This will be a little sweet, but you can drink it quickly.

2. After drinking this sweet liquid, you have to wait about an hour. During this time, your body absorbs this glucose, causing your blood sugar level to rise slightly.

3. Exactly one hour later , a small blood sample will be taken from a vein in your arm.

4. This blood sample is tested to see how your body has managed (metabolized) the amount of glucose you drank.

How to understand the test results?

This is where many people have a little problem. Some people get scared when they get their first test report. Let's see how to understand this exactly.

First test (Screening Test)

If the sugar level in the blood sample taken one hour later is higher than 130mg/dL or 140mg/dL (this value may vary slightly from lab to lab and depending on the doctor's opinion), the doctor will tell you that you need to have another confirmatory test.

Second, the Confirmatory Test

Only if the first test results are high, you will have to take this second test. This one is a little different from the first one.

If at least two of the four blood samples taken in this second test are above the recommended level , the doctor will confirm that you have gestational diabetes.

Even if you are confirmed to have this, don't panic. Your doctor and a nutritionist will advise you on a diet plan and exercise regimen that is right for you. If you follow those instructions exactly, you and your baby can get through this period without any harm.