Most doctors recommend routinely sugar test during pregnancy also known as GCT or glucose challenge test done between the twenty forth to twenty eight weeks. This test is takes place for the purposes of testing for gestational diabetes, which is a condition of high blood sugar and affects some women when they are pregnant. When you go for your first test, you will be given a sugar solution which contains 50g of glucose. The solution tastes like sugary soda pop and the solution comes in lime, orange and cola flavor and it must get down in 5 minutes. In some health centers, the solution is kept chilled or they allow you to drink it with some ice.
The solution is given at least one hour before the test is carried out so bring a magazine or book with you. A technician or your doctor will take your blood sample to test your blood sugar level. Moreover, sugar test during pregnancy is meant to check how efficient your body is in processing sugar. You will be able to get the results after some days. Incase the results shows a reading that Is too high ( abnormal) that is about 15% to 23% of that time, you will have to go back for a another three-hour sugar tolerance test, which is intended to check if you have gestational diabetes.
What blood sugar level is abnormal?
Different doctors have different standards of determining if your sugar level is abnormal. Some will tell you that if the one-hour glucose level is 140mg of sugar per deciliter (mg/dl) of your blood plasma or more, then you will need another glucose test. Other health practitioners put their cut-off at 130mg/dL to get more pregnant women who may be suffering from gestational diabetes, although there is a probability of more false patients this way.
Incase your blood sugar level for sugar test during pregnancy is above 200mg/dL, then most doctors will think of you as diabetic and you will not have to take the sugar tolerance test. Keep in mind that any score that is between 140mg and 200mg means that you will have to undergo the three-hour sugar tolerance test so as to get a more definite diagnosis.
What does the glucose tolerance test entail?
Before the glucose sugar level test, you will be required to eat 150g of carbohydrates per day for the first three days. Eating a normal diet plus an additional slice of breed after every meal, means you are likely to get enough carbohydrates. For 8 to 14 hours before the glucose tolerance test, you should not drink or eat anything but just a few water sips. In addition, you are also not allowed to either exercise or smoke as well. So it is more advisable to schedule the test early in the morning.
The doctor will take your blood sample so as to check your fasting levels of sugar in the blood. You will then be asked to drink the glucose solution in plenty or a more conc. Dose. You should then prepare yourself for 3 arm pricks since your blood sample will be taken for at least three hours that is after every hour. The technician is supposed to alternate the arms every time she takes a blood sample. Although this seems like a long process, remember that you need to take a sugar test during pregnancy to be on the safe side.
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