Pregnancy is an exciting journey full of milestones, from hearing the heartbeat to feeling those first tiny kicks. But amidst the magic, it’s important to keep an eye on health – not just for the baby, but for the mum-to-be as well.
One of the main conditions doctors monitor during pregnancy is gestational diabetes (GD). While testing for GD is typically done between 24 and 28 weeks, there’s a growing argument for testing earlier. Here’s why it might be a good idea and how it can make a big difference to both you and your baby.
What Is Gestational Diabetes?
Affecting thousands of women across the UK each year, gestational diabetes (GD) is when a pregnant woman’s body struggles to regulate blood sugar levels and produce insulin because of hormones made by the placenta. It usually goes away soon after birth, but it is something that requires careful management.
Without treatment it can increase the risk of pregnancy complications such as high blood pressure, birth difficulties including a greater chance of an emergency caesarean, and mental health conditions. Women who suffer from GD are more at risk of type diabetes and cardiovascular disease in future too. It can also result in larger-sized babies and make them more prone to type 2 diabetes when they’re older.
Why Test Earlier?
GD screening is currently carried out in the later stages of pregnancy. But here’s the catch: some women are at risk of developing it much earlier. Factors like a higher BMI, a family history of diabetes and even certain ethnic backgrounds can also increase the risk. Testing earlier would mean doctors could identify GD before it has a chance to cause any complications.
According to three linked papers published in The Lancet, a review of evidence suggested a significant proportion of women experienced high blood sugar levels before 20 weeks. It’s why a panel of 28 academics across 13 countries are calling for pregnant women to be tested around 14 weeks instead.
Benefits Of Early Testing
Pregnancy can be challenging enough without any surprises and testing earlier can minimise or prevent problems caused by GD:
- More time to manage blood sugar levels – Once you’re diagnosed the main goal becomes to manage your blood sugar. Earlier detection means you have more time to adjust your diet, and gentle exercise and explore other treatment if needed.
- Healthier outcomes for your baby – High blood sugar can lead to a larger baby which can make delivery more challenging and increase the chances of an emergency caesarean. Babies born to mums with unmanaged GD can experience blood sugar drops after birth which can cause lethargy, difficulty feeding, temperature control problems, tremors and in severe cases, seizures.
- Reduced risk of pregnancy complications – Untreated GD increases the risk of pre-eclampsia (high blood pressure in pregnancy) which can be life-threatening. It also increases the risk of premature delivery and the need for a C-section. By testing early these risks can be minimised.
What Happens If You’re Diagnosed Early?
First of all, don’t panic! GD is manageable and plenty of mums go on to have healthy pregnancies and babies. Your healthcare provider will monitor your blood sugar levels and advise you on diet and exercise. They may give you medication such as metformin or insulin to help control your levels.
The important thing is not to see a GD diagnosis as a burden but as an opportunity to prioritise your health and your baby’s wellbeing.
Pregnancy might come with its fair share of appointments and tests, but early screening for gestational diabetes is a smart move. After all, taking care of yourself is the first step to taking care of your baby—and that’s a good thing for everyone.
Self-testing kits such as the ones CIGA offers at Suresign can help people to monitor blood glucose levels. If you’d like to know more about our range click here or get in touch.
