Glucose tolerance test (OGTT) for pregnant women

When one speaks of diabetes, one means an increased blood sugar level due to a sugar metabolism disorder (glucose tolerance disorder). Usually, gestational diabetes goes away after delivery, but that doesn’t always have to be the case. About five to ten percent of pregnant women are affected. For around 85 percent of those affected, therapy with the help of a wholesome and healthy diet is sufficient to successfully combat diabetes. However, an estimated 15 percent also require insulin therapy. You can find out more about gestational diabetes in our article What is gestational diabetes? “.

What is the Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT)?

During the check-up, your urine will be examined, among other things. If a high sugar level can be detected there, a sugar load test, the so-called oral glucose tolerance test (oGtt), is recommended. This test can be used to determine the exact sugar content in your blood. This is a glucose drink with 50 grams of glucose. After ingestion, wait about an hour. Then your blood sugar level will be measured. If the blood sugar level is over 140 millimoles per liter, there is a suspicion of gestational diabetes. To confirm the suspicion, the complete oral glucose tolerance test (oGtt) is performed. Here you have to drink the glucose drink on an empty stomach. The blood sugar is now measured at different intervals. If the salary is much too high, it can happen to you

Who should take the glucose tolerance test?

If your doctor finds abnormal values ​​in a urine test as part of the check -ups, he will advise you to carry out a detailed glucose tolerance test. If you suffer from severe thirst and tiredness, it is better to consult your doctor and have your urine values ​​checked. Women who meet one of the following characteristics should be particularly careful:

• expectant mothers who developed gestational diabetes early in pregnancy
• Women whose BMI, the Body Mass Index, is over 30
• Women with a family history of diabetes
• Women whose own birth weight was more than 4000 grams
• Women who have already given birth to a child that weighed more than 4000 grams at birth
• Women who have had repeated miscarriages

Consequences of gestational diabetes

If you decide against a diagnosis or treatment, your amniotic fluid volume can increase significantly. You also have to expect your child to grow abnormally. You can read about other risks and possible consequences under “ What is gestational diabetes? ” read.

How much does the glucose tolerance test (oGtt) cost?

So far, health insurance companies have only covered the costs for a glucose tolerance test (oGtt) if there is a known risk or there is a reasonable suspicion of gestational diabetes. All other patients often still have to pay for the examination out of their own pockets (costs around 20 euros). The gynecologist or family doctor carries out the glucose tolerance test (oGtt). If the first test indicates gestational diabetes, a stress test in a diabetes outpatient clinic or a diabetes practice can provide absolute certainty.

What to do with gestational diabetes?

If you have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes, your gynecologist will surely give you advice on how to lower your blood sugar levels. He will analyze your eating habits and recommend a change in diet . That means: less sugary food, more whole grain products and healthy fats. Also, exercise is extremely important. It should be at least 30 minutes a day, because exercise can lower blood sugar levels in the long term. If you already have severe gestational diabetes, your doctor will give you insulin injections and also recommend regular ultrasound examinations .

If you are already diabetic and you absolutely want to have a child, then your doctor will make sure that you have a balanced blood sugar level during your pregnancy. In order to prevent developmental disorders in your baby, your doctor will prescribe you the intake of folic acid. Another glucose tolerance test is done three months after delivery.