screening for gestational diabetes
overview
people who are pregnant and are not already diagnosed with diabetes should be tested. diabetes canada recommends testing between the 24th to 28th weeks of pregnancy. pregnant people who are at high risk for type 2 diabetes should be tested at the first prenatal visit and again between 24 and 28 weeks.footnote 1
after delivery
even though your gestational diabetes will probably go away after your baby is born, you are at risk for having the condition again. you are also at risk for having type 2 diabetes.
you may also have a follow-up glucose tolerance test 6 weeks to 6 months weeks after your baby is born.footnote 1
- if the results of this test are normal, you will still need to be tested for type 2 diabetes at least every 3 years.footnote 2
- if the test shows that your blood sugar is slightly high, you may have prediabetes. if you have prediabetes, you can help prevent type 2 diabetes. you can do this by changing the way you eat, exercising regularly, and being tested for diabetes every year.
references
citations
- diabetes canada clinical practice guidelines expert committee, et al. (2018). diabetes and pregnancy. canadian journal of diabetes, 42(suppl 1): s255–s282. doi: 10.1016/j.jcjd.2017.10.038. accessed october 15, 2018. [erratum in canadian journal of diabetes 42(3): 337. doi: 10.1016/j.jcjd.2018.04.006.] accessed october 12, 2018.
- diabetes canada clinical practice guidelines expert committee, et al. (2018). screening for diabetes in adults. canadian journal of diabetes, 42(suppl 1): s16–s19. doi: 10.1016/j.jcjd.2017.10.004. accessed october 15, 2018.
credits
current as of: october 2, 2023
author: healthwise staff
clinical review board
all healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
current as of: october 2, 2023
author: healthwise staff
clinical review board
all healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
diabetes canada clinical practice guidelines expert committee, et al. (2018). diabetes and pregnancy. canadian journal of diabetes, 42(suppl 1): s255–s282. doi: 10.1016/j.jcjd.2017.10.038. accessed october 15, 2018. [erratum in canadian journal of diabetes 42(3): 337. doi: 10.1016/j.jcjd.2018.04.006.] accessed october 12, 2018.
diabetes canada clinical practice guidelines expert committee, et al. (2018). screening for diabetes in adults. canadian journal of diabetes, 42(suppl 1): s16–s19. doi: 10.1016/j.jcjd.2017.10.004. accessed october 15, 2018.
