Our Health Library information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Please be advised that this information is made available to assist our patients to learn more about their health. Our providers may not see and/or treat all topics found herein.
Topic Contents
Screening for Gestational Diabetes
Topic Overview
Early detection
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and American Diabetes Association recommend that all women who are not already diagnosed with diabetes be screened for gestational diabetes after the 24th week of pregnancy.footnote 1, footnote 2 Most women are screened for gestational diabetes between the 24th and 28th weeks of pregnancy.
After delivery
Even though your gestational diabetes will probably go away after your baby is born, you are at risk for gestational diabetes again and for type 2 diabetes later in life.
You may also have a follow-up glucose tolerance test 4 to 12 weeks after your baby is born or after you stop breastfeeding your baby. 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 that test shows that your blood sugar is slightly high, you may have a condition called prediabetes. If you have prediabetes, you can help prevent type 2 diabetes by changing the way you eat, exercising regularly, and being tested for diabetes every year. For more information, see the topic Prediabetes.
If you want to get pregnant again, you should be tested for type 2 diabetes before you become pregnant.
For more information, see the topic Gestational Diabetes.
Related Information
References
Citations
- U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (2014). Screening for gestational diabetes mellitus. http://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/uspsgdm.htm. Accessed January 16, 2014.
- American Diabetes Association (2019). Standards of medical care in diabetes—2019. Diabetes Care, 42(Suppl 1): S1–S193. Accessed December 17, 2018.
Other Works Consulted
- American Diabetes Association (2017). Standards of medical care in diabetes—2017. Diabetes Care, 40(Suppl 1): S1–S135.
Credits
Current as of: August 31, 2020
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review: Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine
Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine
Rebecca Sue Uranga
Femi Olatunbosun MB, FRCSC - Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Top of the page
Next Section:
Related Information
Previous Section:
Topic Overview- Top of the page
Next Section:
References
Previous Section:
Related Information- Top of the page
Next Section:
Credits
Previous Section:
References- Top of the page
Current as of: August 31, 2020
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine & Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine & Rebecca Sue Uranga & Femi Olatunbosun MB, FRCSC - Obstetrics and Gynecology
This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Learn how we develop our content.
To learn more about Healthwise, visit Healthwise.org.
© 1995-2021 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.