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OGTT Test: Why Should Pregnant Mums Take One

8 min read
OGTT Test: Why Should Pregnant Mums Take One

An oral glucose tolerance test procedure is an important testing method to identify gestational diabetes in pregnant women. Here's why you should take one.

It’s no secret that pregnant women are at a high risk of developing gestational diabetes. It is a type of diabetes that can cause high blood sugar–affecting your health and your baby’s.
 
Pregnant mums with gestational diabetes will find their blood sugar levels back to normal after delivery. But there is a risk of it developing into Type 2 diabetes. It will also make your delivery difficult if it remains unchecked.
 
On the bright side, gestational diabetes is avoidable. Expectant mothers can control it by eating healthy, exercising, and taking necessary medications. But first, mums must undergo an oral glucose tolerance test procedure to determine their blood sugar levels.

Table of Contents

  • What Is An Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) Procedure?
  • OGTT in Pregnancy
  • Why Is an OGTT Done in Pregnancy?
  • Is OGTT Recommended for All Pregnant Women?
  • Fasting for Oral Glucose Tolerance Test
  • What Should I Eat Before the OGTT Test?
  • When Do I Need An Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) Procedure?
  • What Happens During The Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) Procedure?
  • What Are The Normal Levels In An Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT)?
  • What Happens If Your Test Results Are High?
  • Cost Of Oral Glucose Tolerance Test Procedure In Singapore

What Is An Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) Procedure?

The oral glucose tolerance test procedure identifies abnormalities in how your body handles glucose after a meal. It essentially measures your body’s response to sugar (glucose).
 
Women going through a glucose tolerance test procedure won’t be able to eat or drink anything from eight hours before. Most doctors recommend fasting overnight and scheduling the test for early the next morning.

OGTT in Pregnancy

The oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) is a common blood test performed during pregnancy. It determines your risk for gestational diabetes and monitors your blood sugar levels throughout your pregnancy. 

This test can be done at any time during your pregnancy. However, it is most commonly performed between 24 and 28 weeks gestation or after completing your first-trimester screening tests.

The OGTT involves drinking a 75-gram glucose solution, similar to one cup of orange juice. After this drink has been consumed, your blood will be drawn at specific times over the next two hours so that we can measure your blood glucose levels and other hormones that may affect these levels throughout this period. 

This process allows your doctor to determine if there are any issues with your metabolism or insulin production at this time in your life cycle, which would put you at risk for developing gestational diabetes later on down the road (or even requiring immediate delivery if necessary).

Why Is an OGTT Done in Pregnancy?

Your doctor may recommend an OGTT if he or she thinks that you might have gestational diabetes. It’s also used to check for other conditions, including preeclampsia (a type of high blood pressure that occurs during pregnancy), Rh sensitisation (when your body has developed antibodies against the Rh factor in the father’s blood), and problems with fetal development or birth defects. 

During an OGTT, doctors also look for signs of thyroid disease, liver disease, kidney disease, lupus erythematosus (SLE), chronic hypertension (high blood pressure), and other complications.

oral glucose tolerance test procedure

Image Source: Pexels

Is OGTT Recommended for All Pregnant Women?

The OGTT is not recommended for all pregnant women, but it is recommended that low-risk women who are between 18 and 40 years of age receive one. This can help to determine if there are any issues with blood sugar levels or diabetes.

If you do not receive an OGTT during your pregnancy, you may still have a glucose tolerance test done after you give birth. This will help to determine if you have gestational diabetes.

Fasting for Oral Glucose Tolerance Test

Fasting is a term used to describe skipping a meal before your OGTT. You have to fast for at least 8 hours before the test. This means that you should not eat or drink anything except water. 

Fasting is an important part of the OGTT. The fasting blood sugar level is measured before you drink the glucose solution. This lets health professionals know your normal blood sugar level and can help them decide if you have diabetes or not.

What Should I Eat Before the OGTT Test?

The best thing you can do to prepare for the OGTT is to eat a healthy meal the night before—but not too much. You want to ensure you’re eating enough to keep your blood sugar stable but not so much that it causes indigestion or discomfort.

Aim for a balanced meal of lean protein, like chicken or fish, and complex carbs, like whole wheat bread or brown rice. You also need healthy fats like avocado or nuts to absorb nutrients and prevent insulin spikes.

Make sure you have something light in your stomach before the test (like water), so the test results are accurate.

When Do I Need An Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) Procedure?

You may need an oral glucose tolerance test procedure for these conditions: 
  • Obesity
  • Close family member with diabetes
  • High blood pressure
  • High triglycerides (a type of fat in the blood)
  • Polycystic ovarian syndrome (which causes menstrual problems)
  • Delivered a baby weighing over 4 kilos (9 pounds)
  • Gestational diabetes during a previous pregnancy

What Happens During The Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) Procedure?

Oral Glucose Tolerance Test Procedure

Image courtesy: iStock

The healthcare professional will take a sample of blood which will then be used to measure your fasting blood glucose level.
 
You will then be asked to consume something with glucose (sugar). After which, the blood samples are retaken after a break of two hours to measure the blood glucose levels in your body. This repeats two more times every 60 minutes after you consume glucose. Each time, your blood glucose level is checked.
 
During the preparation, the mother should eat and drink as she does. But consumption of caffeine or smoking is not permissible during pregnancy.

Do I Need to Drink All of the Sugar Solution?

Yes! You need to drink all of the sugar solutions, even if it tastes bad. This is because the test uses your body’s reaction to the amount of sugar you consume, not just the number of glucose molecules in your blood.

What Happens After I Drink the Sugar Solution?

After you drink the sugar solution, you will have to wait about 2 hours for your blood glucose level to fall. During this time, you will be monitored to ensure that you do not feel ill or experience any other complications.

After waiting two hours, they will draw blood from your vein to measure your blood glucose level again. If your blood glucose level is still too high after drinking the sugar solution, this will indicate that you are likely diabetic and will need further testing.

What Are The Normal Levels In An Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT)?

Most pregnant women will have a glucose tolerance test between 24 and 28 weeks of their pregnancy. The doctor may recommend an earlier glucose tolerance test if you have high glucose levels in your urine.

OGTT Results and the values you need to watch out for:

  • Below 140 mg/dl: normal blood sugar
  • Between 140 and 199 140 mg/dl: impaired glucose tolerance, or pre-diabetes
  • 200 140 mg/dl or higher: Diabetes
A blood glucose level of 140 mg/dl or higher during pregnancy is abnormal. Your doctor will recommend you take a three-hour oral glucose tolerance test.
 
The two-step procedure will take your blood sample before drinking the glucose, and your blood will be drawn and tested every hour for three hours.

What Happens If Your Test Results Are High?

friendly Asian female doctor is giving a health checkup by touching the pregnant womans abdomen as she is lying on treatment couch in the hospital.

Image Source: iStock

 
If blood sugar levels are above 140 mg/dl and below 199 mg/dl, your doctor recommends exercise and weight loss to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. You will have to make changes in your diet and lifestyle and take medicines to control your blood sugar.
 
In most cases, your blood sugar should return to normal after the baby is born. But you will still need to be vigilant about your diet and exercise routine.
 
The oral glucose tolerance test is also used in the postpartum period. Women who have gestational diabetes don’t usually develop diabetes later. But doctors recommend regular screening at least every three years.

Cost Of Oral Glucose Tolerance Test Procedure In Singapore

The average cost of a glucose tolerance test in Singapore is between S$20 to S$50. But check with your local healthcare centre for the exact cost, as prices may vary based on the facility.
 
Updates from Pheona Ilagan
Testing, Diabetes, Very Well Health

Here at theAsianparent Singapore, it’s important for us to give information that is correct, significant, and timely. But this doesn’t serve as an alternative for medical advice or medical treatment. theAsianparent Singapore is not responsible for those that would choose to drink medicines based on information from our website. If you have any doubts, we recommend consulting your doctor for clearer information.

OGTT Test: Why Should Pregnant Mums Take One

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