At the 6th month of pregnancy, a test is performed to detect latent diabetes. It is detected in 3-6% of pregnant women. It is believed that this type of diabetes manifests itself only in pregnant women, and it is triggered by pregnancy hormones. This means that if a woman has been diagnosed with diabetes, it will disappear immediately after childbirth, and the expectant mother will not suffer from it all her life, because it lasts only the last 5 months of pregnancy. Nevertheless, this makes it possible to identify a predisposition to diabetes, and in the following years it will be necessary to monitor the level of glycemia.
It is very important to detect diabetes in order to prevent its undesirable consequences such as the birth of a large fetus, the threat of prenatal complications.
The test that is performed for these purposes is called the "O'Sullivan Test" (glucose tolerance test) and is performed at the 6th month of pregnancy.
How is the test performed
The "O'Sullivan test" consists of the following: the patient drinks 50 grams of glucose, and an hour after that, a blood sample is taken for analysis. It is performed at any time of the day on an empty stomach.
Test results
If the test results exceed the norm, i.e. the glycemic level is above 1.35 g/l, then diabetes is possible. To establish an accurate diagnosis, it is necessary to perform another test to confirm hyperglycemia. First, they take blood on an empty stomach, then they offer to drink 100 grams of glucose. After its absorption (after an hour), a second blood sampling is performed. The third and fourth fences are carried out with an interval of one hour. In total, this test takes three hours.
If at least two of the four indicators are overestimated, it means that there is diabetes. In this case, it is necessary to follow a special diet and independently check the level of glycemia with a glucose meter several times a day.
Within the framework of Mom Schools our doctors talk in detail about what other tests it is advisable to take during pregnancy, and why it is necessary.
