By Denchi Minh
Gestational Diabetes is a condition in which the pregnant mother who has never had diabetes before experiences abnormally high blood sugar levels during the pregnancy. The condition usually ends after delivery but it should not be ignored. When left unattended it may lead to perilous effects to the mother and most specially the infant. Anyone can develop such condition and every pregnant woman should therefore undergo glucose screening to make sure any problems related to blood sugar are detected. There are several commonly used methods of screening such as the non-challenge blood glucose tests, screening glucose challenge test, oral glucose tolerance test, and urinary glucose testing.
Non-challenge Blood Glucose Tests
This is the cheapest method of screening for Gestational Diabetes but it also has the highest chance to come up with false positive results. It is conducted by simply determining the blood glucose level for two consecutive days. The first test is conducted after fasting and the second test in conducted under normal circumstances. Levels exceeding 126 mg/dl on the first day and 200 mg/dl on the second day will result to a positive result.
Screening Glucose Challenge Test
This is a method of screening considered the most widely employed and is conducted around 24-28 weeks into pregnancy and is conducted by having the pregnant woman drink a 50-gram glucose solution and then take her blood sugar level after 60 minutes. Levels in excess of 140 mg/dl will result to positive analysis.
Oral Glucose Tolerance Test
This method of screening for Gestational Diabetes is considered to be the most lengthy of all procedures. It requires the pregnant woman to prepare for the procedure by making sure she consumes her regular diet with at least 150 grams of carbs each day for the entire three days prior the test. The procedure will then commence by having the woman undergo fasting of about 12 hours. She is then asked to drink a glucose solution and the changes in her blood sugar levels will be recorded.
Urinary Glucose Testing
High levels of blood sugar may also manifest in the urine. This is the basic principle behind this method of Gestational Diabetes screening. It involves conducting dipstick tests on the pregnant woman's urine. This test however is no longer widely practices as it has the chance of resulting to a false negative result which may endanger the mother and the infant with false security of not having the illness.
Gestational Diabetes is a condition in which the pregnant mother who has never had diabetes before experiences abnormally high blood sugar levels during the pregnancy. The condition usually ends after delivery but it should not be ignored. When left unattended it may lead to perilous effects to the mother and most specially the infant. Anyone can develop such condition and every pregnant woman should therefore undergo glucose screening to make sure any problems related to blood sugar are detected. There are several commonly used methods of screening such as the non-challenge blood glucose tests, screening glucose challenge test, oral glucose tolerance test, and urinary glucose testing.
Non-challenge Blood Glucose Tests
This is the cheapest method of screening for Gestational Diabetes but it also has the highest chance to come up with false positive results. It is conducted by simply determining the blood glucose level for two consecutive days. The first test is conducted after fasting and the second test in conducted under normal circumstances. Levels exceeding 126 mg/dl on the first day and 200 mg/dl on the second day will result to a positive result.
Screening Glucose Challenge Test
This is a method of screening considered the most widely employed and is conducted around 24-28 weeks into pregnancy and is conducted by having the pregnant woman drink a 50-gram glucose solution and then take her blood sugar level after 60 minutes. Levels in excess of 140 mg/dl will result to positive analysis.
Oral Glucose Tolerance Test
This method of screening for Gestational Diabetes is considered to be the most lengthy of all procedures. It requires the pregnant woman to prepare for the procedure by making sure she consumes her regular diet with at least 150 grams of carbs each day for the entire three days prior the test. The procedure will then commence by having the woman undergo fasting of about 12 hours. She is then asked to drink a glucose solution and the changes in her blood sugar levels will be recorded.
Urinary Glucose Testing
High levels of blood sugar may also manifest in the urine. This is the basic principle behind this method of Gestational Diabetes screening. It involves conducting dipstick tests on the pregnant woman's urine. This test however is no longer widely practices as it has the chance of resulting to a false negative result which may endanger the mother and the infant with false security of not having the illness.
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