Comments on: Why do they test so late in pregnancy for Gestational Diabetes? http://diabetes-treatment-and-cure.com/diabetes/why-do-they-test-so-late-in-pregnancy-for-gestational-diabetes Everything you need to know about treating diabetes. Fri, 30 Jul 2010 07:57:37 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: heartlostangel http://diabetes-treatment-and-cure.com/diabetes/why-do-they-test-so-late-in-pregnancy-for-gestational-diabetes/comment-page-1#comment-3411 heartlostangel Sat, 12 Dec 2009 21:33:12 +0000 http://diabetes-treatment-and-cure.com/diabetes/why-do-they-test-so-late-in-pregnancy-for-gestational-diabetes#comment-3411 Well, having had GD twice now, I believe the tests are important. It's caused by the placenta messing up your bodies natural ability to produce insulin to break down and digest sugars properly, and this often doesn't occur until the hormones start to change again in the 3rd trimester to prepare for post partum period. The 1st test is the one hour, if you fail that, you go back for a 3 hour, same procedure. Since I had it before, I was tested at 6 weeks this time, and am on a diet, medication, and I see the doctor every 2 weeks. As a previous poster said, one of the main things to watch for is a big baby. GD babies born vaginally often end up with broken arms, or shattered shoulders/collarbones, or get stuck in the birth canal. You can also not produce enough amniotic fluid for them to live in, so there can be problems caused by that. The most dangerous thing to watch for, is the fact that having gestational, or regular diabetes can cause your placenta to start to disintergrate early, which can result in stillbirth if not carefully monitored. GD often culminates in a c-section, though not always. The first test is very easy, you just get up in the morning(fasting is usually but not always recommended), go to the lab, drink a small bottle of sugary tasting orange or lime soda(it's not a pop really) and get blood drawn exactly 1 hour later. With all the risks that GD raises, I recommend getting the test so you can be prepared. It's a simple thing to do to make sure you get the proper care and that your baby lives to meet you once s/hes born. Other than being bigger or possibly needing oxygen/sugar, GD babies are usually remarkably healthy if proper care is taken. Well, having had GD twice now, I believe the tests are important. It’s caused by the placenta messing up your bodies natural ability to produce insulin to break down and digest sugars properly, and this often doesn’t occur until the hormones start to change again in the 3rd trimester to prepare for post partum period.
The 1st test is the one hour, if you fail that, you go back for a 3 hour, same procedure. Since I had it before, I was tested at 6 weeks this time, and am on a diet, medication, and I see the doctor every 2 weeks.
As a previous poster said, one of the main things to watch for is a big baby. GD babies born vaginally often end up with broken arms, or shattered shoulders/collarbones, or get stuck in the birth canal. You can also not produce enough amniotic fluid for them to live in, so there can be problems caused by that. The most dangerous thing to watch for, is the fact that having gestational, or regular diabetes can cause your placenta to start to disintergrate early, which can result in stillbirth if not carefully monitored. GD often culminates in a c-section, though not always.
The first test is very easy, you just get up in the morning(fasting is usually but not always recommended), go to the lab, drink a small bottle of sugary tasting orange or lime soda(it’s not a pop really) and get blood drawn exactly 1 hour later. With all the risks that GD raises, I recommend getting the test so you can be prepared. It’s a simple thing to do to make sure you get the proper care and that your baby lives to meet you once s/hes born. Other than being bigger or possibly needing oxygen/sugar, GD babies are usually remarkably healthy if proper care is taken.

]]> By: Kim http://diabetes-treatment-and-cure.com/diabetes/why-do-they-test-so-late-in-pregnancy-for-gestational-diabetes/comment-page-1#comment-3410 Kim Wed, 09 Dec 2009 16:41:31 +0000 http://diabetes-treatment-and-cure.com/diabetes/why-do-they-test-so-late-in-pregnancy-for-gestational-diabetes#comment-3410 I think it depends on our family history of diabetes.. I got tested for GD at 6wks because my father and sister both have type 2 diabetes. Everything was normal so I will be tested at 16wks too.. I think it depends on our family history of diabetes.. I got tested for GD at 6wks because my father and sister both have type 2 diabetes. Everything was normal so I will be tested at 16wks too..

]]> By: douladoll http://diabetes-treatment-and-cure.com/diabetes/why-do-they-test-so-late-in-pregnancy-for-gestational-diabetes/comment-page-1#comment-3409 douladoll Wed, 09 Dec 2009 03:49:37 +0000 http://diabetes-treatment-and-cure.com/diabetes/why-do-they-test-so-late-in-pregnancy-for-gestational-diabetes#comment-3409 Gestational diabetes doesn't usually establish until later in the pregnancy (unless there's is a preexisting condition). Another reason they test so late is that GD doesn't so much affect the baby during it's early development as later in the pregnancy when the high sugar levels can cause excess growth (and subsequent delivery complications), kidney damage and eye damage. High insulin levels related to GD can also cause hypoglycemia at birth which can be very dangerous for baby. Another reason it's important to know is that GD can be really dangerous for you. Kidney, pancreas, retinal damage and coma are all complications associated with uncontrolled GD. If it's bad enough it may even result in full-blown diabetes that persists past the delivery and all the complications that go with it. It's a simple test: you're given a very sugary drink and a blood test immediately before and 1hr later. It's worth it in the end. Good luck. Gestational diabetes doesn’t usually establish until later in the pregnancy (unless there’s is a preexisting condition).

Another reason they test so late is that GD doesn’t so much affect the baby during it’s early development as later in the pregnancy when the high sugar levels can cause excess growth (and subsequent delivery complications), kidney damage and eye damage. High insulin levels related to GD can also cause hypoglycemia at birth which can be very dangerous for baby.

Another reason it’s important to know is that GD can be really dangerous for you. Kidney, pancreas, retinal damage and coma are all complications associated with uncontrolled GD. If it’s bad enough it may even result in full-blown diabetes that persists past the delivery and all the complications that go with it.

It’s a simple test: you’re given a very sugary drink and a blood test immediately before and 1hr later.

It’s worth it in the end.

Good luck.

]]> By: bluerosetattoo82 http://diabetes-treatment-and-cure.com/diabetes/why-do-they-test-so-late-in-pregnancy-for-gestational-diabetes/comment-page-1#comment-3408 bluerosetattoo82 Sun, 06 Dec 2009 01:02:55 +0000 http://diabetes-treatment-and-cure.com/diabetes/why-do-they-test-so-late-in-pregnancy-for-gestational-diabetes#comment-3408 diabetes isnt anything you want to mess with when you are pregnant. IF you have it and dont know it you can go into a diabetic coma. if you have high blood sugar you baby will produce more insulin and when it is born will have to be monitored, low blood sugar can be bad for a baby. there are lots of reasons why you need to have it done. its a simple test you drink a drink you wait an hour they do blood work. also some women dont lose it after pregnancy. diabetes can also cause high blood pressure which can lead to pre-eclampsia which i had when i was pregnant. my son was born 5 weeks early and was 8lbs 10oz and had to stay in the hospital for 20 days because his lungs were underdeveloped diabetes isnt anything you want to mess with when you are pregnant. IF you have it and dont know it you can go into a diabetic coma. if you have high blood sugar you baby will produce more insulin and when it is born will have to be monitored, low blood sugar can be bad for a baby. there are lots of reasons why you need to have it done. its a simple test you drink a drink you wait an hour they do blood work. also some women dont lose it after pregnancy. diabetes can also cause high blood pressure which can lead to pre-eclampsia which i had when i was pregnant. my son was born 5 weeks early and was 8lbs 10oz and had to stay in the hospital for 20 days because his lungs were underdeveloped

]]> By: L R http://diabetes-treatment-and-cure.com/diabetes/why-do-they-test-so-late-in-pregnancy-for-gestational-diabetes/comment-page-1#comment-3407 L R Fri, 04 Dec 2009 05:57:13 +0000 http://diabetes-treatment-and-cure.com/diabetes/why-do-they-test-so-late-in-pregnancy-for-gestational-diabetes#comment-3407 OMG...I was wondering the same thing...but I do know that my ex husband was born to a mother who had this and he was born extremely ill and large, he had to be on a ventilator for a week, so it is good to find out, so the doctor can take precautions at birth. OMG…I was wondering the same thing…but I do know that my ex husband was born to a mother who had this and he was born extremely ill and large, he had to be on a ventilator for a week, so it is good to find out, so the doctor can take precautions at birth.

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