What Happens During Prenatal Appointments?
What to do if you're diagnosed with gestational diabetes
This test is done between 24 and 28 weeks. Gestational diabetes is one of the most common health problems during pregnancy and a glucose screening test is necessary because the condition seldom causes symptoms.
You’ll be given a large sugary drink that tastes like pop and, an hour later, your blood is drawn and tested for elevated sugar levels. If you test positive, you will be retested with a longer, glucose tolerance test (but don’t panic–only about a third of women who test positive during glucose screening actually have gestational diabetes).
If you are diagnosed with gestational diabetes, your doctor will help you come up with a plan to help you manage the condition, which may mean altering your diet and routinely monitoring your glucose levels with an at-home kit. Most of the time, gestational diabetes goes away after you have your baby, although you may be given another glucose test at your six-week checkup, just to be sure.
