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Obstetrician plays a key role in helping Atlanta and Alpharetta, GA women have healthy pregnancies and healthy babies. Expectant mothers will visit their obstetrician’s office throughout their pregnancy for checkups and testing to keep them on track and check the health of their baby. One important test mothers to be will have to have is a test for gestational diabetes.
Gestational diabetes is diabetes that women develop during pregnancy. It, like normal diabetes, impacts the body’s ability to process sugar. Though it most often goes away after pregnancy, it can increase the mother’s risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life. And, if left untreated, it can harm you and your baby, making this a test your obstetrician will make sure you don’t miss.
Testing for gestational diabetes involves a drink and finger prick. In the visit before your test, your obstetrician will give you a bottle of Glucola. This is a sweet, sugar water that is orange in color. Put it in the fridge when you get home as it is best taken cold.
An hour before your appointment with your obstetrician, drink the Glucola. You must complete the drink within 5 minutes or your test results will be invalid. You also must be tested exactly one hour after you finish your drink, so write down the time you finish it and plan to arrive at your obstetrician’s office 30 minutes beforehand so you have plenty of time to get there, checked in, and tested.
If your obstetrician finds your results are positive, you can still have a healthy pregnancy. Your obstetrician will work with you to manage your gestational diabetes, usually through a mix of exercise, eating right, and medications. You will also likely have more frequent visits to your doctor, especially in the final months of pregnancy.
After delivery, you’ll need your blood levels checked again. Most women’s will return to normal, but will require diabetes risk assessment testing every three years. Your obstetrician will be able to discuss your next steps and what you’ll need to do going forward before they release you from their care.
Atlanta and Alpharetta, GA women want to have a healthy pregnancy, testing for issues such as gestational diabetes is part of your obstetric care. Your obstetrician will be able to walk you through the process beforehand and make sure they have every question answered for you. Contact your top Alpharetta and Atlanta OBGYN for your obstetrics and gynecology care.