the answer

Gestational diabetes usually occurs in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, as it is important to detect the infection early to obtain the appropriate treatment, but when is the analysis of gestational diabetes? Gestational diabetes is high blood sugar during pregnancy and the body''s inability to provide enough insulin to meet the body''s needs during pregnancy, but when is gestational sugar analyzed? And how is that done? What factors increase the risk of gestational diabetes?

When is gestational diabetes analyzed?

Many women wonder, "When is gestational diabetes tested?" The answer is that gestational diabetes is analyzed between the 24-28 week of pregnancy.

But if the pregnant woman had gestational diabetes before or is at risk of developing gestational diabetes, the doctor may perform a gestational diabetes test during weeks 8-12 of pregnancy, and then perform another test during weeks 24-28 of pregnancy if the first test was normal. 

How is gestational diabetes analyzed?

After knowing the answer to the question "When is gestational diabetes tested?" It is necessary to know how to perform a gestational diabetes test.

The method of testing for gestational diabetes may vary depending on your doctor''s recommendations, but it includes a glucose tolerance test that is done by drinking a glucose syrup solution, and then a blood test to measure the level of sugar in the blood.

Glucose is quickly absorbed by the body, causing blood sugar levels to rise within 30-60 minutes, after which venous blood samples will be taken an hour later and repeated as needed.

If the blood sugar level is 190 mg/dL or 10.6 mmol/L, this indicates gestational diabetes, and if it is less than 140 mg/dL, it is considered normal.

And in the event that the percentage is higher than normal, another test is performed by drinking a glucose solution with a higher concentration, and then measuring the blood sugar level every hour for 3 hours. If the readings are higher than expected, you may be diagnosed with gestational diabetes.

Factors that increase the risk of gestational diabetes

All pregnant women are at risk of developing gestational diabetes, but some factors increase the risk of developing gestational diabetes, which prompts the doctor to perform a gestational diabetes test earlier than usual, including:

Obesity and a BMI of 30 or more for a pregnant woman.

Previously giving birth to a baby weighing 4.5 kilograms or more at birth.

Having a history of gestational diabetes.

Having a family history of diabetes.

The mother''s age should be more than 25 years.

Significant weight gain early in puberty and between pregnancies.

Significant weight gain during pregnancy.

Pregnancy with more than one child.

Having high blood pressure.

Having polycystic ovary syndrome.

Take cortisone-containing medications.

Symptoms of gestational diabetes

Some symptoms may appear on a pregnant woman indicating that she has gestational diabetes, most notably:

frequent urination.

Increased feeling of thirst.

fatigue.

Vomiting and nausea..

Weight loss despite increased appetite.

Blurred vision.

Yeast infection.

Gestational diabetes may not cause any symptoms, so it is important for all pregnant women to have a gestational diabetes test.

Ways to deal with gestational diabetes

The treatment plan for gestational diabetes includes several axes, including

Changing your lifestyle and adopting a healthy lifestyle that includes eating healthy food and exercising such as walking, swimming, etc.

Monitor your blood sugar 4 or more times per day to ensure that your blood sugar levels are within healthy ranges.

Take medications if necessary, the most important of which is insulin.

Follow-up of blood sugar after delivery and then after 6-12 weeks to ensure that sugar levels return to normal, in addition to the need to assess the risk of developing diabetes at least once every three years.