Gestational DIABETES TESTING

The Oral Glucose Tolerance Test

Why it's done: The oral glucose tolerance test (also known as the glucose challenge screening) is routine for all pregnant women. It is far from definitive, so don't worry if you get a call that you need to come back for a follow-up test.


When it's done: During weeks 24 through 28 of pregnancy, or earlier if you have any risk factors.

How it's done: There is little you can do to prepare for this test. During the test, you will drink glucola, a sugary beverage containing 50g of glucose. Your doctor will draw your blood one hour later to see how efficiently your body processes the glucose. Some women may feel nauseated from the sugary beverage.

What your results mean: If your one-hour plasma glucose level is greater than or equal to 140 milligrams per deciliter of blood (mg/dL) -- some doctors place the cutoff at 130 mg/dL -- gestational diabetes is suspected and further testing is recommended. If your one-hour plasma glucose level is less than 120 mg/dL, you likely do not have gestational diabetes.

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