Due to a change in hormone levels during pregnancy, diabetic conditions may arise, so physicians advise testing to detect Gestational Diabetes early. Gestational Diabetes can affect both baby and mother leading to complications with pregnancy, birth, or later in life. Risk factors such as age, medical history, and genetics may warrant the need for testing and diagnosis.
Symptoms and risks including prior pregnancy complications or blood sugar related issues may warrant the need for physicians to detect gestational diabetes early. General medical history including age, weight, and family history help to establish a baseline of risk. However, physicians look to blood sugar testing, prior pregnancy complications, and poor functioning such as fatigue, infections, nausea, and blurred vision as primary symptoms. Testing for gestational diabetes should include blood glucose monitoring when pregnancy is first determined, between 24 and 28 weeks, up until after birth for both baby and mother.
Testing to detect gestational diabetes early allows ample time and awareness to modify diet, exercise, and medical treatment to ensure a safe and healthy delivery. Most changes include healthier eating, regular blood sugar monitoring, and exercise. Untreated gestational diabetes can lead to complications with delivery, risk of death to the newborn, and the potential to develop diabetes later in life.
Expectant mothers are urged to undergo tests to detect gestational diabetes early and maintain regular monitoring. Take the precautions necessary to care for yourself and your baby. For more information or to order diabetes testing supplies, browse online or contact a friendly representative at 1-888-687-4334 today.