Diagnosing Gestational Diabetes
Most people are tested for gestational diabetes between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy -- the end of your second trimester. Your doctor may recommend testing for gestational diabetes in the first trimester if you are at increased risk.
Oral Glucose Tolerance Test
The oral glucose tolerance test shows how quickly your body processes glucose. Your blood glucose levels are checked before and one hour after having a glucose drink. This is known as a one-hour glucose tolerance test. If your glucose levels are too high, you will take a three-hour oral glucose tolerance test. It requires you to fast for eight hours before your fasting blood glucose levels are checked one, two, and three hours after drinking a glucose drink.
Treating Gestational Diabetes
Diet and Exercise
The first step in managing gestational diabetes is learning how food and exercise impact blood sugar levels. Certified diabetes educators and registered dietitians will teach you how to plan meals and safely incorporate exercise.
Insulin
Some people with gestational diabetes may need insulin to control their blood sugar. They may require one or up to four shots of insulin per day. You’ll be shown how to administer insulin on your own.
Metformin
Metformin is often prescribed to people with type 2 diabetes. Our providers may prescribe metformin to treat gestational diabetes, when appropriate.
Gestational Diabetes Monitoring
Finger Prick Test
You must test your blood glucose levels multiple times daily to ensure they are within a normal range. This is done through a finger prick test, which uses a needle to get a single drop of blood from your fingertip. A special machine measures your glucose levels using the drop of blood. Continuous glucose monitors (CGM) aren’t recommended for people with gestational diabetes.
Third Trimester Check-ups
People with gestational diabetes are seen frequently by their provider in the third trimester. They also have several ultrasounds as well as fetal non-stress tests to check on the fetus’s heart rate. Many pregnant people with gestational diabetes deliver their babies between 37 and 39 weeks to minimize the risks for the baby and mother.
