Oral Glucose Tolerance Test During Pregnancy
... What is the oral glucose tolerance test? The oral glucose tolerance test is performed to screen for gestational diabetes. This test involves quickly drinking a sweetened liquid (called Glucola), which...

Blood Glucose ("blood sugar") Test
... What is a blood glucose test? A blood glucose test is a blood test that screens for diabetes by measuring the level of glucose (sugar) in a person’s blood. How can one tell if I have diabetes by exami...

Signs and symptoms
... Most women don''t experience any signs or symptoms of gestational diabetes. When they do occur, signs and symptoms may include: Excessive thirst Increased urination

Causes
... During digestion, your body breaks carbohydrates into simple sugar molecules that it can eventually use for energy. One of these sugar molecules is glucose, the main energy source for your body. Gluco...

Risk factors
... Any woman can develop gestational diabetes, but some women are at greater risk than are others. These factors increase your risk: Age. Women older than age 25 are more likely to develop gestational di...

When to seek medical advice
... Your health care provider will address gestational diabetes as part of your regular prenatal care. If you develop gestational diabetes, see your health care provider for regular checkups. How often yo...

Screening and diagnosis
... In some places, screening for gestational diabetes is a routine part of prenatal care for all women. Until recently, though, there was no scientific proof that screening resulted in fewer childbirth c...