Changes in Diabetes Testing During Pregnancy
In Australia, the way pregnant women are tested for gestational diabetes is changing. New national guidelines were released today, making this the first major update in over 10 years. These changes are expected to help reduce unnecessary testing and stress for women who are at low risk.
Gestational diabetes is a condition where blood sugar levels become too high during pregnancy. It usually goes away after the baby is born, but it can raise the risk of future health problems like type 2 diabetes. In Australia, around 280,000 pregnant women are tested for it each year.
Currently, all pregnant women are tested between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy with a test called the oral glucose tolerance test. This involves fasting, drinking a sugary drink, and having blood tests taken over two hours.
With the new guidelines, all women will still be tested, but fewer women will need to do this test twice during pregnancy. The aim is to focus care on women and babies who are at higher risk and who will benefit the most from treatment and support.
Experts say that while the test can help avoid serious problems like high blood pressure, large babies, or difficult births, it also has downsides. Some women feel shame or worry after being diagnosed. Others struggle to get access to good care or feel pressure to follow strict diets without proper medical guidance.
The update was led by the Australasian Diabetes in Pregnancy Society and aims to make testing more balanced and helpful. It reflects global research and feedback from both doctors and pregnant women.
These changes hope to support pregnant women better, focusing on their health and well-being during and after pregnancy.
