The sugar test in pregnancy: when it is done and normal values

Although medically his original name is O'Sullivan test, is popularly known by many pregnant women and mothers with the name of sugar test in pregnancy. Indeed, it is a diagnostic test that is performed in pregnancy, with the aim of diagnosing whether the pregnant woman suffers or not from gestational diabetes.

It is a useful diagnostic test to find out if the future mother has high blood glucose levels, which -in a positive case- allows the gynecologist and / or midwife to recommend the follow-up of a proper diet to prevent the levels from continuing high. , although there is controversy among the professionals themselves as to whether or not the presence of diabetes in pregnancy negatively affects the baby or not.

When is the pregnancy sugar test performed? In what week?

In Spain this test is carried out routinely to all pregnant women who are between weeks 24 and 28 of gestation. However, in some Autonomous Communities it is usual for the test to be performed twice, the first of which is in the first trimester of pregnancy.

How is the sugar test performed?

The well-known as sugar test in pregnancy is very simple to perform. This is divided into the following steps:

First, blood is drawn, and the blood glucose level is measured.
Then the pregnant woman should ingest a liquid that contains 50 grams of sugar dissolved in water.
One hour later blood is drawn again, to measure again the blood glucose.

Previously it was recommended that the pregnant woman keep between 8 to 10 hours of fasting before the test, but as many specialists say, to this day it is certain that the test can be done at any time of the day. However, even many hospitals and health centers continue to make that recommendation.

Normal values of the sugar test

In the two extractions blood glucose should be below 140 mg / dl; if so, these levels are considered normal and there would be no doubt that the future mother could suffer some intolerance to carbohydrates or gestational diabetes:

If the blood glucose levels are equal to or higher than 140 mg / dl: the possible existence of an intolerance to carbohydrates is suspected.
If the levels are equal to or exceed 200 mg / dl, gestational diabetes is diagnosed.

Precisely if the levels are equal to or higher than 200 mg / dl is necessary repeat the test to confirm it. However, if the levels have matched or exceeded 140 mg / dl but have not reached 200 mg / dl, the well-known glucose curve or oral glucose tolerance test should be performed, which consists of monitoring the values of glycemia after an oral overload of 100 gr. of glucose, with four measurements being made in one-hour intervals.

If there is again a value that exceeds the limits, the test must be repeated in three weeks, and if the limit is again exceeded, glucose intolerance is diagnosed. When two values that exceed the limits appear, the presence of gestational diabetes is diagnosed. This article is published for informational purposes only. It can not and should not replace the consultation with a Physician. We advise you to consult your Trusted Doctor.