Pregnant women at their booking appointments are provided with the  ' Random Glucose Test'  - The HbA1c ( Glucose Screening Test) which takes the average blood glucose ( Sugar) levels for the last two to three months. This means that it is not testing women for Gestational Diabetes there and then, therefore many are viewed ' low risk' and often not offered the OGTT Test ( Oral Glucose Tolerance Test) during their pregnancy - A better indicator for blood sugar levels. Furthermore, those women that did test positive during the ' Glucose Screening Test', ( This is not a diagnostic tool)  only about a third of these who test positive actually have the condition. I want to ensure that every pregnant female has a OGTT Oral Glucose Tolerance Test and at the most appropriate stage of pregnancy to minimize risk and complications.

Another one of the reasons why Gestational Diabetes or even undiagnosed diabetes  is going hidden from the Glucose Screening Test is that if women develop low iron levels or anaemia deficiency ( which is common in pregnancy), this can mask the The HbA1c  results...... Leading you and your midwife to think you're not at risk. 

Gestational Diabetes during pregnancy can be used as an indicator for later life risk of developing type 2 diabetes for both mothers and babies. Glucose Intolerance Test can also be used to pick up those that may actually be suffering from pre-diabetes or type 2/type 1 diabetes and never of known it.... therefore it is imperative that women are educated and informed and can have early access to support and lifestyle changes. 

Women and babies have the right to appropriate and better antenatal care, please help me to change this to support healthier pregnancies, childbirth and babies.

Some Hospital trusts offer the OGTT ( Oral Glucose Tolerance Test) between 24-28 weeks of pregnancy, this still means women have gone months and months without knowing they had GDM. The consequences which impact upon the health of the mother and baby. All Hospital Trusts must have the funding to provide these tests and testing earlier. Women need to know the difference between ' typical pregnancy symptoms' and that of ' GDM'.