The test for diabetes is safe and simple. Samples of your blood are taken after you drink a sugar solution, and the glucose level is measured. A high level suggests that there may be a problem with glucose control. If you have a high level of glucose, you will receive a diagnostic test. This test will diagnose diabetes if you have it.
Many doctors test for diabetes only in women with risk factors.
Other doctors find that diabetes is common in the women they care for, so they test all women. In some groups of people, like Native Americans, diabetes is so common that some doctors go right to the diagnostic test. Having these risk factors does not mean you will develop diabetes. The risk of problems during pregnancy is greatest when diabetes is not well controlled. This is why you need good blood sugar control during pregnancy.