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Screening for Gestational Diabetes
Overview
People who are pregnant and are not already diagnosed with diabetes should be tested. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends testing after the 24th week of pregnancy.footnote 1 The American Diabetes Association recommends testing between the 24th and 28th weeks of pregnancy.footnote 2
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 4 to 12 weeks after your baby is born or after you stop breastfeeding.
- If the results of this test are normal, you will still need to be tested for type 2 diabetes at least every 3 years.
- 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.
Related Information
References
Citations
- U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (2021). Screening for gestational diabetes: Updated evidence report and systematic review for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. JAMA, 326(6): 539–562. DOI: 10.1001/jama.2021.10404. Accessed August 17, 2021.
- American Diabetes Association (2023). Standards of medical care in diabetes—2023. Diabetes Care, 46(Suppl 1): S1–S280. Accessed March 15, 2023.
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.
