Pregnancy is a time of incredible change for both your body and your baby. One of the most important aspects of prenatal care is monitoring your health to support a healthy pregnancy and delivery.
At Pflugerville OBGYN in Pflugerville, Texas, you can rely on our team to provide screenings to ensure your baby’s health. At your obstetrics appointment, we pay close attention to a gestational diabetes diagnosis.
Gestational diabetes is a form of diabetes that you can develop during pregnancy, most often in the second or third trimester. It occurs when hormonal changes interfere with your body’s ability to use insulin effectively, leading to elevated blood sugar levels.
Unlike other types of diabetes, gestational diabetes usually goes away after childbirth. However, it requires careful management during pregnancy to avoid complications for you and your baby.
Any pregnant woman can develop gestational diabetes, but some risk factors increase the likelihood, including:
Even without risk factors, the condition can still be developed, which is why testing is so important.
We typically test for gestational diabetes between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy using a glucose screening test. If results are abnormal, we perform a follow-up glucose tolerance test to confirm the diagnosis.
Early detection is key. If you have gestational diabetes and don’t manage it, you have an increased risk of:
Gestational diabetes can also mean that you and your child have a higher likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.
While gestational diabetes affects 8-10% of women in the United States, it’s manageable. You can rely on our professional obstetrics care for effective treatment, which often includes:
We also recommend routine prenatal visits so we can monitor the condition and adjust your care plan as needed.
At Pflugerville OBGYN, we provide the proper screening and care you need and deserve. You can rely on our team’s expertise for a healthy pregnancy and delivery.
Getting tested during pregnancy is a proactive step that helps protect your health and your baby’s well-being. If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, click here to book an appointment with our expert team today.
