Gestational diabetes screening is typically recommended between weeks 24 and 28 of pregnancy. This period is marked by rapid fetal growth, during which the placenta releases hormones essential for the baby's development. These elevated hormones can interfere with insulin's function. If the pregnant woman's pancreas cannot produce enough insulin, blood sugar levels rise, leading to gestational diabetes.

Doctors may recommend earlier gestational diabetes screening, often in the first trimester, for pregnant women with specific risk factors. These include being over 35 years old, obesity, polycystic ovary syndrome, hypertension, or a family history of diabetes.

Most women with gestational diabetes experience no clear symptoms. Even if a pregnant woman feels healthy, has consistent fetal movement, eats normally, and limits sweets, her blood sugar levels could still be elevated. If symptoms such as constant thirst, excessive urination, or extreme fatigue appear, it often indicates very high blood sugar, which can impact the fetus.

Timely diabetes screening is a vital method for early detection. It allows expectant mothers to proactively adjust their diet if abnormalities are found, enabling close monitoring and ensuring the safety of both mother and baby. Even when insulin injections are necessary during pregnancy to control blood sugar, they are considered safe for both mother and baby.

Failure to detect gestational diabetes promptly can lead to excess sugar from the mother transferring to the fetus, causing it to grow too large. This increases the risk of preterm birth or difficult delivery. Newborns may experience hypoglycemia, jaundice, or respiratory distress, and face a higher risk of obesity and developing type 2 diabetes later in life. For the mother, gestational diabetes elevates the risk of pre-eclampsia, infections, and potentially developing chronic diabetes postpartum.

A pregnant woman undergoes blood sampling for gestational diabetes screening. Photo: Tam Anh General Clinic District 7

To accurately diagnose gestational diabetes, the most common method is the oral glucose tolerance test performed at a hospital. The pregnant woman fasts for at least 8 hours, has blood drawn while fasting, then consumes a 75 g glucose solution. Blood is drawn two more times (typically after one hour and two hours) to assess her glucose tolerance.

The results from these measurements will determine if the pregnant woman has gestational diabetes, guiding appropriate intervention.

Master of Science, Doctor Nguyen Phuong Thao

Fetal Medicine Unit

Tam Anh General Clinic District 7