My doctor wants to test me for diabetes. Why is it important?

Diabetes occurs when your body doesn''t produce sufficient insulin for your needs. Insulin is a hormone produced by your pancreas and regulates the metabolism of sugar, fats and protein. Diabetes may be pre-existing, or it may develop because of the demands of the pregnancy on your body. Either way, if it is not correctly treated (by controlling diet or giving regular insulin) it can make you feel thirsty, weak and very unwell and may then affect the baby''s growth and wellbeing. If you develop diabetes, you should be looked after very closely usually by your hospital, and the baby regularly checked by ultrasound to make sure it is growing normally. Babies of diabetic mothers may for various reasons range from very small and ''growth restricted'' to normal size or occasionally very large (macrosomic).
Urine Tests

You will be asked to provide a urine specimen, which is tested by a nurse or midwife to check for possible irregularities.

Glucose (sugar) More than a trace of glucose may be a sign of diabetes. You may need a blood test.
Protein When this is found in quantity in the urine, it may signal a bladder or kidney infection, or preeclampsia.
Ketones These are substances, that if present, mean that the body''s metabolic system is upset, probably because you haven''t eaten enough or have vomited.
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