Gestational diabetes is usually diagnosed during which stage of pregnancy?

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was written by MSc Nguyen Thi Ngoc - General Internal Medicine - Endocrinology, Department of Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital.
Gestational diabetes is a condition in which blood sugar rises during pregnancy. This condition affects up to 10% of pregnant women in the US every year.

1. What is gestational diabetes?

There are two degrees of gestational diabetes. Levels of A1 can be controlled with diet and exercise. People with A2 levels need insulin injections and other medications.
Gestational diabetes goes away after giving birth. But it can affect your baby's health, increasing your risk of type 2 diabetes later in life. There are many steps you can take to keep you and your baby healthy.

2. Symptoms of gestational diabetes

Women with gestational diabetes often have no symptoms. Most of them were found to have gestational diabetes through follow-up testing during pregnancy.
They may notice:
Thirst than usual Hunger or eating more than usual Urinating more than usual

3. Causes of gestational diabetes

When you eat, your pancreas releases insulin, which helps transport glucose from the bloodstream into cells for energy.
During pregnancy, the placenta makes many hormones and these hormones create more glucose in the blood. Normally, your body will make enough insulin to deal with the condition. But if your body doesn't make enough insulin or the insulin doesn't work properly, your blood sugar rises and you get gestational diabetes.

4. Risk of gestational diabetes

You are at risk for gestational diabetes if you are:
Overweight before pregnancy Race African-American, Asian, Hispanic, or Native American Have higher-than-normal blood sugar but do not have diabetes diabetes (also called pre-diabetes) Family history of diabetes Have had gestational diabetes in the past Have high blood pressure or other medical complications Have a big baby (heavier) 9 pounds = 4.08kg) History of stillbirth or birth of a baby with a birth defect Age > 25

5. Test and diagnose gestational diabetes

Gestational diabetes usually occurs in the second half of pregnancy. Your doctor will check for this condition at 24 to 28 weeks of pregnancy or earlier if you're at high risk.
The doctor will do an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT - Oral Glucose Tolerance Test): you will be taken a fasting blood sugar sample in the morning (8-12 hours after eating) then drink medical sugar water 75g Glucose , and blood samples were taken 1 hour and 2 hours after drinking sugar water.
Before taking the test you will have at least 3 days without a diet (> 150g carbohydrates/day) and with no limitation of physical activity. During the test, you should sit and do not smoke.
Diagnosis of gestational diabetes is confirmed when 1 of 3 blood sugar results is higher than the normal value:
If fasting blood glucose > 7 mmol/l (126 mg/dl ) is a clear diagnosis of diabetes

6. Treatment of gestational diabetes

If you have gestational diabetes, you'll need treatment as soon as possible to keep yourself and your baby healthy throughout pregnancy and labor. Your doctor will ask you to:
Check your blood sugar 4 or more times in a day Ketonuria and other tests to see if your diabetes is under control Diet and exercise Your doctor will Monitor your weight and fetal growth. Your doctor may prescribe insulin to keep your blood sugar on target.

7. Blood sugar goals during pregnancy

According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommended blood sugar goal for pregnant women:
Before eating: less than or equal to 95mg/dl After eating 1 hour: less than or equal to 140mg/dl 2 hours after eating : less than or equal to 120mg/dl Vinmec International General Hospital offers a Package Maternity Care Program for pregnant women right from the first months of pregnancy with full prenatal check-ups, ultrasound Periodic 3D, 4D sound and routine tests to ensure the mother's health and the comprehensive development of the fetus. Pregnant women will be consulted and checked for health under the close supervision of experienced and specialized obstetricians, helping mothers gain more knowledge to protect their health during pregnancy as well as minimize complications affecting mother and child.

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