In this article, we will know when does gestational diabetes begin to appear? What are the main symptoms? What are the tests that reveal that you have gestational diabetes? What should you do if you are diagnosed with gestational diabetes?
Is it possible that you have gestational diabetes and not know it? About 10% of pregnant women learn that they have gestational diabetes after the middle of their pregnancy, and most of them are surprised by this because they feel no symptoms.
In this article, we will know when does gestational diabetes begin to appear? In addition to the most important information about gestational diabetes:
When does gestational diabetes begin to appear?
It is important that you undergo a gestational diabetes examination to start treatment to protect your health and the health of your fetus, but the question remains when does gestational diabetes begin to appear? In fact, signs and symptoms of gestational diabetes usually begin between the 24th and 28th week of pregnancy.
But because some pregnant women may not feel the signs or symptoms of gestational diabetes, it is important to see your doctor for a glucose tolerance test (GTT), which measures blood sugar levels after administering precise amounts of sugar in the mouth.
This examination is usually between the 24th and 28th week of pregnancy, when signs and symptoms begin to appear in this period, but if you are susceptible to gestational diabetes, your doctor will examine you earlier.
It should be noted that a high blood sugar level at the beginning of pregnancy is evidence of type 1 or type 2 diabetes, not gestational diabetes.
Gestational diabetes and its symptoms
After we know when gestational diabetes begins to appear? It should be noted that gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that is diagnosed for the first time in a pregnant woman who has not had diabetes before pregnancy.
In many, but not all, cases, postpartum blood sugar levels return to what they were before pregnancy.
In most cases, gestational diabetes does not cause noticeable symptoms or distinctive signs, but increased thirst and frequent urination are among the most prominent symptoms that may indicate the presence of gestational diabetes. These symptoms are common in pregnant women, so a pregnant woman may not notice signs of gestational diabetes. .
What tests reveal that you have gestational diabetes?
Now that we have answered your question about when does gestational diabetes start to appear? In the following, we will learn about the two most important tests that are used to confirm the incidence of gestational diabetes:
1. Glucose Challenge Test (GCT)
The glucose challenge test measures your blood sugar at the time of the test. You will drink a quantity of glucose-containing drink, and then your blood sugar level will be measured one hour later.
The normal glucose level is 140 mg/dL or less. If it is higher than that, your doctor will perform another test called a glucose tolerance test.
2. Glucose tolerance test
This test measures your glucose level before and after drinking a liquid containing sugar, so you must fast completely and refrain from eating the night before the test.
Then your blood glucose level will be measured one and two hours after you drink the sugar-containing liquid, and sometimes three hours as well.
What should you do if you are diagnosed with gestational diabetes?
After knowing when gestational diabetes begins to appear? And ways to diagnose it, many women diagnosed with gestational diabetes were able to control their sugar levels by eating a healthy diet and exercising, but some of them may need insulin.
Here are the most important treatment steps for gestational diabetes
1. Eat a healthy diet
Your health care provider can help you follow a healthy diet that is beneficial for you and your fetus by controlling the type, amount, and time of eating.
Food choices, quantities, and meal times are all important factors in keeping blood glucose levels within the normal range.
2. Physical activity
Staying physically active has the following potential benefits
Helps reach the desired glucose levels.
Contributes to lowering cholesterol levels and high blood pressure.
Relieves stress.
It strengthens the heart muscle, bones and muscles.
Improves joint flexibility.
It reduces your chances of developing type 2 diabetes in the future.
3. Taking insulin
If eating a healthy diet and staying physically active does not significantly reduce blood sugar levels and keep them in the normal range, then you will need to take insulin.
Then your health care provider will tell you how to give yourself subcutaneous doses of insulin, and do not worry, insulin will not harm your fetus, and it is the first choice as a primary treatment for gestational diabetes.
Please always consult your doctor if you have any questions about the right insulin dose for you.
