How Do You Take A Pregnancy Glucose Tolerance Test?
Most obstetricians recommend that pregnant women take a glucose screening test between the 24th and 28th week of pregnancy. This test determines how well a woman processes sugar. Poor processing can indicate the presence of gestational diabetes, a serious pregnancy complication. Your doctor may recommend a second glucose tolerance test to confirm the presence of gestational diabetes. Take the glucose-screening test toward the end of your second trimester. This involves drinking a solution of glucose that tastes like very sweet cola. After an hour passes, the doctor draws your blood to see how well you processed the sugar. If your body did not process the sugar well (as in the case of 15 to 23 percent of pregnant women), you may have to come back for a 3-hour glucose tolerance test. Interpret the results of your glucose screening. If your 1-hour blood sugar level is between 140 mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter) and 200 mg/dL of blood plasma, you must take the follow-up glucose tolerance
