How to self-test for gestational diabetes

Written by Li Lang Bo

Endocrinology

Updated on March 14, 2025

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Gestational diabetes refers to conditions where there was no diabetes before pregnancy, and during the course of the pregnancy, specifically between the 24th to 28th weeks, a standard glucose tolerance test is conducted to screen for glucose metabolism. The specific procedure involves not eating after 8 p.m. the night before, though drinking water is allowed, followed by fasting for more than ten hours. The first blood sample is taken on an empty stomach. Then, 75 grams of anhydrous glucose, as prescribed by the doctor, is dissolved in 250 to 350 milliliters of water and consumed within 3 to 5 minutes. Starting from the first sip of this glucose solution, blood samples are taken again one hour and two hours later. The results from these three blood samples are used to determine the possibility of gestational diabetes.

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Written by Luo Juan

Endocrinology

1min 1sec

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How long does it take to recover from gestational diabetes after childbirth?

For the vast majority of pregnant women with gestational diabetes, their fasting blood glucose or glucose tolerance test can return to normal within six weeks after delivery. However, the recurrence rate of gestational diabetes during subsequent pregnancies is 50%, and about 25% to 70% of those with gestational diabetes may develop diabetes again within 16 to 25 years after giving birth. For those whose blood sugar levels return to normal after childbirth, it is also advisable to check their blood sugar every three years. For patients with abnormal fasting blood glucose or reduced glucose tolerance after childbirth, an annual check should be conducted to screen for diabetes, and they should receive strict dietary treatment and individualized exercise therapy. Therefore, the recovery time for postpartum gestational diabetes depends on the circumstances.

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Written by Tang Zhuo

Endocrinology

1min 7sec

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Symptoms of Gestational Diabetes

Gestational diabetes refers to the onset of different levels of hyperglycemia during pregnancy, or first diagnosed during pregnancy, including previously unrecognized glucose intolerance and diabetes before pregnancy. Typical clinical manifestations of gestational diabetes include symptoms such as polyuria, polydipsia, and polyphagia, or recurrent Candida infections of the vulva and vagina. If a pregnant woman weighs more than 90 kilograms, presents with polyhydramnios, or has a macrosomic fetus during this pregnancy, there should be a high degree of vigilance for the possibility of gestational diabetes. Its dangers lie in severe cases or poorly controlled blood sugar in gestational diabetes, which not only tends to lead to miscarriage and preterm birth but also can cause infections, and in severe cases, may lead to ketoacidosis. Therefore, dietary control and medication are very important for managing gestational diabetes.

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Written by Chen Xie

Endocrinology

57sec

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Do you need insulin for gestational diabetes?

Gestational diabetes refers to the elevated blood glucose levels found during pregnancy. For patients diagnosed with gestational diabetes, we first need to control diet and exercise to manage blood sugar levels, maintaining fasting blood glucose between 4.0-5.3 mmol/L and postprandial (two hours after meals) blood glucose between 4.4-6.7 mmol/L. If blood sugar control can be achieved through diet and exercise, insulin treatment is not required. However, if blood sugar levels still do not meet the standards through diet and exercise, exceeding the figures mentioned earlier, insulin treatment is necessary. For patients receiving insulin treatment, it poses no harm to either the fetus or the mother. In fact, when blood sugar is well-controlled, it can actually reduce the risks associated with gestational diabetes.

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Written by Chen Xie

Endocrinology

44sec

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Effects of gestational diabetes on the fetus

The impact of gestational diabetes on the fetus mainly manifests in early stages as spontaneous miscarriage, fetal malformations, and abnormal fetal development. As the fetus grows, the high maternal blood sugar levels can lead to a large fetus, which increases the risk of birth injuries during delivery. Due to the high insulin levels in the mother, the fetus may have hyperinsulinemia, which can cause recurrent hypoglycemia at birth. Additionally, the development and maturation of the fetal lungs are delayed, making the newborn more susceptible to respiratory distress syndrome. Furthermore, gestational diabetes also increases the risk of preterm birth.

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Written by Luo Han Ying

Endocrinology

56sec

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Can you drink yogurt if you have gestational diabetes?

Regarding yogurt, there are two scenarios. Currently, you can make yogurt at home with a yogurt maker. If it's homemade yogurt and you haven't added sugar, it is okay to eat because it contains probiotics and nutritious ingredients, which are actually beneficial for pregnant women. However, the yogurt sold in stores contains very high sugar levels because anyone who has made yogurt would know that unsweetened yogurt is very sour. The kind sold in stores tastes that way because a large amount of sugar is added, not to mention various additives. This is very unfavorable for blood sugar control in patients with gestational diabetes. Therefore, we recommend that pregnant women should drink less or even avoid commercial yogurt. In fact, we can obtain these nutrients by drinking regular milk, like pure milk.