{"id":182,"date":"2021-08-14T04:33:33","date_gmt":"2021-08-14T04:33:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/india7.org\/articles\/?p=182"},"modified":"2021-08-14T04:52:06","modified_gmt":"2021-08-14T04:52:06","slug":"glucose-test-in-pregnancy-why-is-it-so-important","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/india7.org\/articles\/glucose-test-in-pregnancy-why-is-it-so-important\/","title":{"rendered":"Glucose Test In Pregnancy, Why Is It So Important?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"GlucoseThe glucose test<\/a> in pregnancy is performed practically in all pregnant women<\/a> during the second trimester of pregnancy<\/a>. But what is the test really about and why is it<\/a> done routinely? We will find out about it in this post<\/a>.<\/p>\n

What is glucose?<\/h3>\n

To understand<\/a> the importance of glucose testing in pregnancy. First, we should<\/a> know that glucose is a form of sugar that<\/a> humans get from foods such as fruit<\/a>, pasta<\/a>, or white bread.<\/p>\n

Our body is<\/a> capable of using it as a source of energy, but for this, glucose must<\/a> pass from the intestine to<\/a> the bloodstream and from there enter the cells of our body<\/a>.<\/p>\n

For this to<\/a> happen, the blood vessels in the intestine absorb glucose and then the<\/a> action of a hormone<\/a> called insulin, which is released by the pancreas<\/a>, is essential. so that glucose enters the cells<\/a>.<\/p>\n

But what<\/a> happens if there is not enough insulin or if our body has resistance to<\/a> this hormone? In that case, the glucose<\/a> will not be able to enter the cells and will<\/a> stay in the bloodstream<\/a>.<\/p>\n

This causes<\/a> an increase in blood glucose levels which is known as hyperglycemia<\/a> and, depending on<\/a> how high it is and how long the levels remain high<\/a>, it can indicate the presence of diabetes<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Why is glucose testing done during pregnancy?<\/h3>\n

Elevated blood<\/a> glucose levels in pregnant women who have never had diabetes<\/a> can indicate the presence of gestational diabetes<\/a>. It is generally transient since it appears for the<\/a> first time during pregnancy and usually disappears after giving<\/a> birth.<\/p>\n

The global<\/a> prevalence of gestational diabetes ranges between 7% and 14<\/a>%, gestational diabetes affects between<\/a> 3-9% of pregnancies. The causes are not entirely clear,<\/a> but it appears that in pregnancy hormones can hinder the action of<\/a> insulin in the body, creating some resistance<\/a> to insulin.<\/p>\n

In most cases<\/a>, pregnant women compensate for this resistance by producing a<\/a> greater amount of insulin, reaching an<\/a> adequate level to regulate blood glucose levels.<\/p>\n

However, if<\/a> they do not produce enough insulin, gestational diabetes can develop<\/a>. In addition, there are some<\/a> risk factors that increase the chances<\/a> of developing this type of diabetes, such as:<\/p>\n