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Gestational Diabetes; American Diabetes Association
American Diabetes Association

Gestational Diabetes

Gestational Diabetes: What to Expect, is a comprehensive guide for the woman with gestational diabetes, explains the proper elements of self-care, including nutritious meal planning, proper insulin therapy, and accurate blood sugar monitoring.

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Lois Jovanovic-Peterson

Managing Your Gestational Diabetes

Customer Reviews: "I bought 3 books when I was diagnosed with Gestational diabetes... This one was the best. It had a real food guide (my main questions were how do I control my diabetes with diet), the others just wouldn't come out & say "eat this" "don't eat that".

 

 

Pre-Diabetes

Pre-diabetes Illustrated Medical Encyclopedia

 

Filed in: Pre-Diabetes Medical Encyclopedia

 

Definition: Glucose Challenge Test

 

What is a glucose challenge test?

A glucose challenge test measures the amount of glucose (sugar) in the blood stream after the woman is "challenged" with a glucose solution.

How is a glucose challenge test administered?

The pregnant the woman drinks a sugary beverage provided by the doctor or lab. Blood is drawn from the vein one hour later.

If the glucose level is over 140 mg/dL (7.8 mmol/L), the results are considered positive (abnormal) but not all women with a positive screening test have gestational diabetes.

This test may be performed at any time during the day.

  

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Why are women given a glucose challenge test during pregnancy?

Most doctors routinely screen women for gestational diabetes because all women who become pregnant are at risk for developing gestational diabetes.

If a woman has gestational diabetes she will have elevated blood sugar (blood glucose). This can cause the baby to gain too much weight and may cause health problems for the mother.

Gestational diabetes can sometimes be treated with changes in lifestyle but many women will need to take insulin during her pregnancy.

In most cases, gestational diabetes resolves by itself after the baby is born. Some women remain diabetic after pregnancy and will then classified as having type 2 diabetes.

   Gestational diabetes
 

American Diabetes Association Guidelines for
Gestational Diabetes Screening:  Glucose Challenge Test
(during pregnancy)

Blood glucose level 1 hour after drinking
50 grams of glucose

Indication

Less than 140* mg/dL (7.8 mmol/L)

Normal glucose tolerance

140 mg/dL or, (1)
7.8 mmol/L or higher

Abnormally elevated, woman needs an Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT)

(1) Some physicians use a lower cutoff and may recommend that a woman undergo an OGTT if she is 130 mg/dL (7.2 mmol/L) or higher.

  

 

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