What screening method is used postpartum to check for GDM?

The appropriate postpartum screening method for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is the 75g 2-hour glucose tolerance test. This test is specifically designed to evaluate how well the body processes glucose, and it is the standard method recognized for diagnosing diabetes after pregnancy.

During the test, the individual consumes a glucose solution containing 75 grams of glucose, and blood samples are taken at baseline and two hours later to measure how efficiently glucose is metabolized. It is crucial for identifying women who may develop Type 2 diabetes after experiencing GDM during pregnancy.

The other methods, while useful in specific contexts, are not the first-line approach recommended for postpartum screening of GDM. A fasting blood glucose test may indicate glucose issues but is less sensitive for diagnosing diabetes than the oral glucose tolerance test. The HbA1c test reflects average blood glucose levels over a longer period but is generally not recommended as the initial screening method postpartum, since it does not capture acute elevations in glucose levels following a meal as effectively as the glucose tolerance test. Insulin level measurement is not a reliable screening tool for diabetes diagnosis in this context, as it does not provide a direct indication of glucose metabolism. Therefore, the 75g 2-hour glucose tolerance test stands out as