Gestational diabetes often has no clear symptoms, which is why doctors recommend the glucose screening test between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy. You drink a sweet glucose liquid and they test your blood sugar after 1 or 2 hours. If your levels are above the normal threshold, your doctor will guide you on diet or insulin.
It is usually detected through a routine sugar test that your doctor will write for you in the second trimester. Just follow your doctor's advice and get your blood tests done on time, everything will be fine.
Since I had PCOS, my doctor checked my sugar levels early in the first trimester itself and then again around 26 weeks. Don't rely on self-diagnosis or wait for symptoms like extreme thirst. Just get the standard glucose test done by your doctor to be safe.
I know hearing about gestational diabetes is so scary, I cried when I had to take the glucose test! But please don't worry, it is a very simple routine blood test that almost every pregnant woman goes through. Just stay calm and get it done as advised.
Most pregnancy apps will remind you to get the OGTT (Oral Glucose Tolerance Test) done between weeks 24 and 28. Sometimes you might feel extra thirsty or tired, but a proper blood test is the only accurate way to know. Keep track of your lab dates on your phone!
Honestly, you can't always tell by symptoms alone, which is why hospitals do a mandatory glucose tolerance test around 24-28 weeks. I asked my hospital staff clearly about the timing, and they scheduled it perfectly. Just trust your hospital's routine screening to be sure.
