About the test

Due to the increased risk of developing diabetes during your pregnancy, you will be offered a test where we measure your blood sugar levels. You will be asked to drink a sugar solution consisting of water and sugar for the test. The test is known as a glucose tolerance test.

The test takes about 2½ hours.

There are different reasons why you might develop gestational diabetes. Probability is greater for women who:

• had a BMI of 27 or more prior to pregnancy
• come from families with a history of diabetes
• have previously given birth to a baby weighing 4500 grams or more
• have previously had gestational diabetes
• have or have had sugar in their urine during pregnancy
• are expecting more than one baby
• suffer from polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).

Important preparation

Eat as usual 3 days before the test

Eat as you usually would in the 3 days leading up to the test.

Avoid exercise ahead of the test

Do not do any physical exercise on the day of the test as this may affect the results.

You must fast before the test

You must fast before the test. This means that:

• You must stop eating 8 hours before test. This includes chewing gum, hard candy and lozenges.
• You must stop drinking water, coffee and tea with sugar and milk 2 hours before the test.
• You must stop drinking all forms of cold or hot liquids 1 hour before the test.
• You must stop smoking and using nicotine products 2 hours before the test.

However, you may rinse your mouth with water and brush your teeth. You can also take any necessary medication with a little water.

We cannot carry out the test if you have not fasted. Contact us if you have not fasted so we can reschedule the appointment. You can find our phone number under ‘Contact’.

Contact us if you fall ill or develop a fever

We cannot carry out the test if you are ill. Call us by no later than the morning of the test, so we can set up a new appointment. You can find our phone number under ‘Contact’.

Bring some reading material and something to eat

It is a good idea to bring along a book, magazine or other entertainment to help you pass the time. We also recommend that you also bring along a little food you can eat once the test is over.

Relatives are welcome in the waiting area

Your relatives are welcome in the hospital’s common waiting area while you are taking the test. Since there is limited space in the room where the test is conducted, your relatives cannot be with you during the test.

At the hospital

The glucose tolerance test

The test begins with 15 minutes of rest. You will then be asked to drink 2-3 decilitres of sugar water within 5 minutes. After this, you will need to rest for 2 hours.

Discomfort during the test

Some women begin feeling a little unwell or nauseated after drinking the sugar water. It may help to lie down. We will find you a place to rest if you begin feeling unwell.

Rest

You must stay at the hospital while you wait. It is important that you rest during the test as too much movement can affect the results of the test. However, you should not fall sleep. You can go to the lavatory.

You are not permitted to eat, drink or smoke

You are not permitted to eat, drink or smoke while waiting as this can affect your blood sugar.

We take a blood sample

After about 2 hours, we take a blood sample from your arm. We will send the blood sample for analysis.

Test results

If the blood sample shows signs of gestational diabetes, or if we judge that you need to be tested again, you will receive a Digital Post message from us.
You will not hear from us if the blood sample does not show signs of gestational diabetes.