How can a woman tell if she has gestational diabetes?

Typically, gestational diabetes has no early symptoms. The only way to detect gestational diabetes is with a blood test.

Your doctor will probably discuss diabetes testing with you early on in your pregnancy. Experts disagree on whether all women, or just women at risk, should be screened. Your doctor can help you decide whether—and when—testing is necessary for you.

The American Diabetes Association has issued the following recommendations:

• Women at high risk should be screened as early as possible. This would include women who are obese or have a personal history of gestational diabetes.
• Women at average risk should be screened between the 24th and 28th week of their pregnancy.
  
• Women at low risk may not need to be screened. This would include women younger than age 25 who do not have any other risk factors.

The most commonly used screen involves fasting, then having a blood sample taken one hour after drinking a very sweet drink or eating jelly beans. A high glucose level indicates the need for a more accurate three-hour test.