Gestational diabetes is a condition of pregnancy in which the mother’s body acts diabetic only during her pregnancy.  Identifying the disease will reduce the risk to both mother and child.

A blood screening test is available to help identify those patients who have developed gestational diabetes.  The test will be performed at approximately 28 weeks gestation on all pregnant patients.  Having a screening test precludes all patients from having to complete a three-hour glucose tolerance test, which is both more expensive and time consuming.  Those patients whose screening test comes back abnormally high will then need to do the more definitive three-hour test.

To achieve accurate results drink the complete bottle of glucose in no more than 10 minutes and be in the laboratory having your blood drawn exactly one hour later.  You do not need to be fasting before you drink the glucola.  However, you should not eat or drink anything between drinking the glucola and having your blood drawn.  Also, it is best to avoid a large sugar load (for example, cola, candy) prior to drinking the glucola.

Unless otherwise instructed, you will have your blood drawn at CPL Laboratory in suite #111 in the Margot Perot building.  The CPL lab is open from 8:00 am to 5:30 pm Monday through Friday.  You will be given a laboratory requisition with the glucola at your appointment prior to your 28 week visit.

You will not need an appointment in the laboratory.  We suggest having your blood drawn approximately 15 to 20 minutes prior to your appointment time with Dr. Dullye.

You will be called with your screening test results three to four days after you have your blood drawn.  If your screening test is abnormal and you must do the three-hour glucose tolerance test, you will need to schedule an appointment at the laboratory.

Last modified: April 01, 2011