About the test

Because you have had gestational diabetes during your pregnancy, we recommend having your blood sugar tested again after delivery so we can make sure your blood sugar levels have returned to normal. We will measure your blood sugar after you have drunk a sugar solution consisting of water and sugar. The study is also known as a glucose tolerance test.

The test takes about 2½ hours.

Important preparation

Eat as usual 3 days before the test

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

You must fast before the test

You must fast before the test. This means that:

• you must stop eating at 11:00 in the evening before the test. This includes chewing gum, hard candy and lozenges.
• you must stop drinking all kinds of cold and hot liquids from 11:00 in the evening before the test.

However, you may rinse your mouth with water and brush your teeth.
If you take anti-epileptic medication, you can drink a little water along with it. You will have to stop taking any other medication until after the test.

You may breastfeed

You can breastfeed while fasting and during the test itself.

Contact us if you fall ill, develop a fever or go on antibiotics

We cannot carry out the test if you are ill or if you are on antibiotics. 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 bring along a snack to eat once the test is over.

At the hospital

The glucose tolerance test

You will be asked to drink 2-3 decilitres of sugar water within 5 minutes. After this, you will need to wait 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 use the bathroom.

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. You can chew sugar free gum.

We will measure your long-term blood sugar levels

After about 2 hours we will measure your blood sugar via a prick in your finger or ear. You will receive the results immediately. If you have signs of diabetes, we will talk to you about what happens next and inform your general practitioner.