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.

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.

By Denchi Minh

Gestational Diabetes is a condition in which the body fails to produce extra insulin which is required by the body to regulate blood sugar levels amidst the hormonal changes brought about by pregnancy. This results to alarmingly high blood sugar levels for the pregnant mother. Glucose levels will revert back to normal after delivery but this does not mean that the condition is harmless. The abnormality may endanger both the mother and the infant during the entire 9 months of pregnancy and during delivery. But the most serious complications are the chances the infant will develop certain illnesses when he grows older.

Gestational Diabetes can make delivery extremely difficult and dangerous especially if the baby is quite large. It may require the mother to undergo cesarean delivery because too much glucose impedes the regeneration of cells that and necessary bodily changes required to give normal delivery. It also greatly enhances the risks of the mother developing hypertension after child birth. Hypertension is a serious illness that can prove to be fatal when left alone. It may result to seizures or sudden periods of unconsciousness. Seizures can be very dangerous especially if they occur in hazardous places or situations.

Gestational Diabetes can also endanger the health of the newborn baby. The baby may be born overweight and grow up obese. He may have metabolic problems and will find harder time to lose weight. He may also have low blood sugar levels which may lead to lack of energy and concentration. This will make his day to day life very difficult because he may not have enough energy to do the things he wants to do. Normal body functions such as digestion will also be impeded making abnormally fast weight gain a problem. Jaundice is another problem the baby may experience. It is the yellow pigmentation of the eyes and skin.

Gestational Diabetes can cause very huge problems in the present and the future but such can be avoided with very simple solutions such as proper diet and enough exercise. The pregnant woman should develop meals that can provide his recommended dietary allowance while keeping her blood sugar levels stable at the same time. Eating healthy is always the best way to control and manage all forms of diabetes. A healthy diet along with regular exercise will also prevent excessive weight gain during the pregnancy. Excess body fats greatly increase the risks of developing complications such as heart attacks.