This short video gives information about the glucose tolerance test in pregnancy- the reasons why timely attendance is important, how it is carried out and how you will be informed of your results.
Glucose tolerance testing during pregnancy helps us check for gestational diabetes which is high blood sugar that some people get during pregnancy gestational diabetes can affect your health and your baby’s health if you have a higher chance of developing it we offer a glucose tolerance test usually between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy if you’ve had gestational diabetes in a previous pregnancy we will offer the test around the time of your dating scan and again at 24 to 28 weeks of pregnancy it’s important to go to your glucose tolerance test at the right time in your pregnancy to make sure the results are accurate and reliable you might be offered this test if you have certain risk factors like having a family history of diabetes in a close relative being overweight having an ethnic origin with higher diabetes prevalence or having had gestational diabetes in a previous pregnancy the glucose tolerance test is simple safe and is the recommended method of screening for gestational diabetes in pregnancy if you choose to have the test you’ll need to fast overnight which means having no food or drink except water from midnight before the test it’s recommended also not to chew gum or smoke on the morning of the test on the day of the test you’ll come to hospital antenatal clinic in the morning first a blood sample will be taken to measure your fasting blood sugar level next you’ll drink a sweet sugary solution over 5 to 10 minutes after drinking the solution you’ll sit and wait in the clinic for about 2 hours and continue to not eat or drink anything other than plain water sitting still after the first blood test is important for testing accuracy so it’s a good idea to bring something to read or do while you wait two hours later we’ll take your blood again to see how the body has processed the sugary drink after the test you can eat and drink normally we’ll review your results and let you know if you have gestational diabetes usually within five working days if you do we’ll work with you to manage it with a healthy diet exercise and sometimes medication remember the glucose tolerance test is an important step in keeping you and your baby healthy if you have any questions don’t hesitate to ask your midwife or doctor.