Gestational Diabetes: Understanding Sugar Levels During Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a happy time for the mother and the entire family. The family cares for the to-be-mom and offers tips to stay happy and fit during this crucial period. This is the phase when doctors advise several necessary tests for maintaining the mother's and the baby's health. One such test is the sugar test during pregnancy.

This test is done to check for gestational diabetes. It is diabetes that develops during pregnancy. It can affect the pregnancy and your baby's health, too.

Let us learn what the blood sugar test for pregnancy is, why it is essential and what changes you need to make based on the results of this sugar test during pregnancy.

What is the sugar test during pregnancy?

Gestational diabetes means when you have too much sugar in your blood. If left untreated, high sugar levels can affect the mother and baby. Your doctor will suggest the sugar test around 24 to 28 weeks of your pregnancy.

There are two types of sugar tests during pregnancy:

1. Glucose challenge test:

This is a routine test during pregnancy. It detects if you are at a high risk of developing gestational diabetes. An abnormal result means you have a higher chance of having the condition. Your doctor will then suggest further tests to diagnose your condition.

Your doctor may suggest this test earlier if,

• You have had diabetes in your earlier pregnancy.
• You have a family history of diabetes.
• Too much sugar is observed in your urine during a prenatal test.
• You have obesity and high blood pressure.
• You are above 35.
• You have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). This increases the risk of diabetes.
• Glucose tolerance test:

This sugar test during pregnancy diagnoses gestational diabetes. This test will require you to fast for several hours and is a three-hour procedure. The results of this three-hour sugar test are:

• Your fasting sugar should be less than 95 mg/dL.
• After an hour, your sugar levels should be less than 180 mg/dL.
• After two hours, your sugar levels should be less than 155 mg/dL.
• After three hours, your sugar levels should be less than 140 mg/dL.

If your sugar levels exceed the above limits, your doctor will recommend dietary changes to lower your sugar levels. And, if the diet does not help control your blood sugar levels, your doctor will prescribe insulin to manage your gestational diabetes.

Why is a sugar test during pregnancy important?

A sugar test during pregnancy helps determine if you have gestational diabetes. Managing blood sugar levels during pregnancy is vital for the mother's and the baby's health.

If left untreated, gestational diabetes can cause the following complications:

Complications that may affect your baby are:

• Early birth:

High sugar levels during pregnancy may lead to early labour and delivery. Or, your doctor may advise an early delivery if your baby is large.

• High birth weight:

High blood sugar levels can cause your baby to be born large due to excess weight.

• Breathing difficulties:

Babies born early are at a high risk of having breathing difficulties or respiratory distress syndrome.

• Low blood sugar:

Sometimes, babies may have hypoglycemia or low blood sugar. This may cause seizures in your baby.

• Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes in later years:

Gestational diabetes may put your baby at risk of developing obesity and type 2 diabetes in their later years.

• Stillbirth:

If left untreated, gestational diabetes may cause a baby's death before or shortly after birth.

Complications that may affect you:

• High blood pressure and preeclampsia:

You are at risk of high blood pressure and preeclampsia if you have gestational diabetes. Preeclampsia is a serious condition that puts you at risk of high blood pressure and other complications that can endanger your and your baby's life.

• Diabetes in future:

If you have gestational diabetes during pregnancy, you are at a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in your life.

• Delivery through C - section:

If you are diagnosed with gestational diabetes in the sugar test during pregnancy, you are more at risk of delivering through Cesarean section.

How you can prevent gestational diabetes

You can not prevent gestational diabetes. Several factors put you at risk of developing this condition during pregnancy. However, making healthy food choices, exercising regularly and developing other healthy lifestyle habits may help you reduce the risks of gestational diabetes. Going for the blood sugar test for pregnancy will help you stay aware of your blood glucose levels and take immediate action in case of abnormalities.

• Follow a healthy diet:

Opt for fruits, vegetables, and whole grains in your diet. Include fibre-rich foods and reduce fat and calorie intake.

• Exercise regularly:

Regular exercise is vital for avoiding gestational diabetes. Aim for 30 minutes of exercise every day. Walking, cycling, and swimming are some of the best types of exercise for you before and during pregnancy.

• Start your pregnancy with a healthy weight:

Lose the extra weight before you get pregnant. Eat healthy food that ensures you get all the vital nutrients during this crucial phase.

• Avoid gaining more weight than is recommended:

Gaining extra weight too fast during pregnancy raises your risk of gestational diabetes. Maintain a healthy weight.

Summing up

If you are planning a pregnancy, you must maintain a healthy blood sugar level. A timely sugar test during pregnancy will help your doctor diagnose any health condition you may have. If you have increased thirst, dry mouth, blurry vision, genital itching or the urge to pass urine frequently, please consult your doctor. They will advise dietary changes and insulin if the sugar levels are consistently high. High blood sugar levels during pregnancy can cause complications to your and your baby's health, too.

For your sugar test during pregnancy, please choose a certified pathology laboratory, like Metropolis India. Do check out their two-step procedure for screening and diagnosis of gestational diabetes. They offer home visits for your convenience. They are trusted by doctors and hospitals for their efficient testing and accurate reports.