Question

I am more than 31 weeks pregnant. An ultrasound showed that the baby is two weeks larger than expected. They suggested doing a diabetes screening. Is this necessary?

Answer

Hello, gestational diabetes can potentially cause the fetus to grow larger, increasing the risk of macrosomia, preterm labor, and malformations. The baby being two weeks larger is not out of the realm of possibility due to gestational diabetes, so undergoing diabetes screening is necessary, and it’s not expensive. If the child is diagnosed with childhood diabetes, parents need to cooperate with the doctor for active treatment, including gastrointestinal decompression, and develop good hygiene habits. The child should have a balanced diet and avoid irritating and cold foods.