<p>Did you recently find out that you are pregnancy test positive? Are you worried about what supplements to take or what foods to consume during your pregnancy journey? Indeed, you do not have to worry anymore. However, it is no doubt that positive pregnancy news can be a bit overwhelming sometimes, considering the extra precautions that a going-to-be-mom has to take for the baby&#39;s healthy growth.</p>

<h2><strong>Understanding The Nutritional Requirements During Pregnancy</strong></h2>

<p>Today&#39;s main question is whether progesterone and <a href="https://mylofamily.com/article/folic-acid-for-pregnancy-24541">Folic acid tablets are necessary for pregnant women</a> or not. It is no doubt that good nutrition is quite beneficial, especially during your nine months of pregnancy. This will aid in the healthy development of your baby. However, sometimes, a mother may not be able to gain enough vitamins and minerals from food alone; thus, it may become important to consume supplements.</p>

<p>Usually, not all women take folic acid supplements or progesterone tablets, although it is highly recommended to include these supplements in your routine. Yet again, these women may usually consume folate through leafy and green vegetables or even nuts.</p>

<p>Besides, Progesterone is not exactly a compulsory requirement during your <a href="https://mylofamily.com/topic/pregnancy-journey-4124">pregnancy journey</a>. Ultimately, as you progress in your pregnancy journey, your placenta starts producing this hormone. However, many women still consider taking these tablets due to a common belief that progesterone may reduce the risk of miscarriages.</p>

<p>For pregnant women, folic acid supplements are usually recommended. It may be beneficial for one to consume these supplements if they are planning to get or could get pregnant. However, when it comes to progesterone, many women usually opt for these tablets in the first few weeks of their pregnancy journey. This supplement is usually necessary for the placenta to make enough progesterone.</p>

<p>Yet again, a woman wouldn&rsquo;t exactly have a high risk of miscarriage if she chooses to skip this tablet. Thus, this is because, after seven weeks of pregnancy, the placenta starts producing progesterone. However, if you have got a faint positive pregnancy test, it may be recommended that you get in touch with your dietician.</p>

<h2><strong>Benefits of Folic Acid Supplements And Progesterone Tablets </strong></h2>

<p>Folic acid supplements and progesterone tablets can turn out to be very helpful in the first few weeks leading up to pregnancy. However, it is suggested that you take progesterone tablets in the first month of pregnancy.</p>

<p>Folic acid is a vitamin B folate that is made artificially. It is usually added to a few food items or is usually available as supplements. If you believe you are getting pregnant or <a href="https://mylofamily.com/article/how-to-get-pregnant-fast-34540">wish to get pregnant</a>, a daily dose of folic acid under the permissible limit may be quite beneficial.</p>

<p>One can also satisfy their folate requirements by consuming leafy vegetables, legumes, and nuts. Apart from that, this vitamin is soluble in water and can also get reduced when cooked. Therefore, if you have received a urine <a href="https://mylofamily.com/article/when-should-you-take-a-pregnancy-test-with-irregular-periods-155206">pregnancy test</a> positive, you may have to take additional supplements apart from folic acid and progesterone!</p>

<h2><strong>Permissible Amount Of Folic Acid </strong></h2>

<p>If taken under permissible limits, folic acid may turn out to be quite safe. However, if you feel like you have ingested excess folic acid, you do not have to worry because the excess will come out through urine. Yet again, some women may develop minor side effects over prolonged usage. For example, one may experience distaste, nausea, or even confusion, and reduced levels of eating. Apart from that, one may also notice a disturbance in their usual sleep pattern.</p>

<p>Yet again, you must get in touch with your doctor immediately if you face any of these allergic reactions to folic acid. A few of the allergic reactions include skin rashes, redness, and difficulty in breathing. In addition, it may be quite common to experience a positive pregnancy test at times but bleeding like a period. It may be quite likely that you have received a false pregnancy result in such situations. However, if you are still unsure, you can contact your gynaecologist.</p>

<p>It is ideal for taking 400 micrograms of folic acid during pregnancy. You can start at least twelve weeks before you get pregnant. Then, consider continuing the supplements until the next three months of your pregnancy. You can purchase folic acid and progesterone supplements OTC from numerous pharmacies around.</p>

<h2><strong>Why Folic Acid Is Extremely Important For Your Baby&rsquo;s Growth</strong></h2>

<p>Indeed, folic acid is extremely important for your baby&rsquo;s overall growth. In women who aren&rsquo;t trying out for a baby, folic acid helps make DNA. Apart from that, folic acid can help in the development of the nervous system as well as the neural tube, especially during the <a href="https://mylofamily.com/topic/first-trimester-4277">early stages of pregnancy</a>.</p>

<p>The first thing your baby will usually grow is a neural tube. This part may grow within six weeks of your pregnancy journey. For the development of neural tubes, folate may be an important supplement. Therefore, it is usually recommended that you consume lots of leafy vegetables and citrus fruits in the first weeks of pregnancy. Recent research has also shown that consuming folate supplements can significantly reduce the risk of Spina Bifida or other birth effects by approximately 70%.</p>

<p>Apart from that, it may also be important for you to make necessary changes in your diet. For example, consider consuming lots of green and leafy vegetables, oranges, avocados, and cereals. If you wish to learn more about what to eat during your pregnancy, you can consider contacting your dietician. However, you must talk to your dietician before starting on any supplement.</p>

<h2><strong>Conclusion</strong></h2>

<p>Indeed, your pregnancy phase may turn out to be one of the most precious moments to cherish in your life. So don&rsquo;t forget to make the most out of your journey, consider clicking pictures of your first pregnancy test positive result, or recording the reaction of your family members when you deliver the good news!</p>

<h3>References</h3>

<ol>
	<li>Stanford Children&rsquo;s Health. Folic Acid for a Healthy Baby. www.stanfordchildrens.org</li>
	<li>CDC. (2019). Recommendations: Women &amp; Folic Acid. www.cdc.gov</li>
</ol>


Read whether progesterone and Folic acid tablets are necessary for pregnant women or not & importance of folic acid for baby's growth. 

What is The Importance of Consuming Folic Acid & Progesterone During Pregnancy?

Do All Women Require Folic Acid & Progesterone Tablets After A Positive Pregnancy Test Result?

<p>Diabetes is considered one of the most troublesome and serious diseases of the modern era. The number of victims of this non-communicable but severe disease is increasing every day amongst all age groups. Upon suspecting diabetes, the first thing your doctor is likely to recommend is for you to go through a Glucose Tolerance Test or GTT to check your body&rsquo;s response to absorb and process glucose after you consume a particular amount of sugar.</p>

<h2><strong>What is <a href="https://mylofamily.com/article/symptoms-diagnosis-treatment-complications-of-gestational-diabetes-mellitus-during-pregnancy-155417?">Gestational Diabetes</a>?</strong></h2>

<p>In very simple terms, gestational diabetes is a high blood sugar condition affecting pregnant women. It is a condition where pregnant women who did not have diabetes before conceiving suffer from high<a href="https://mylofamily.com/article/blood-sugar-levels-in-pregnancy-what-you-should-know-213960?"> blood sugar levels during pregnancy</a>. A gist of this health condition is that during pregnancy, a woman&rsquo;s body releases hormones that can lead to a buildup of glucose in her blood. If the pancreas cannot make enough insulin to handle the excess glucose, the blood sugar levels shoot up and the result of this imbalance is gestational diabetes.</p>

<p>Like every other illness, a correct and timely diagnosis of gestational diabetes is very important before deciding the treatment and that is where GTT comes into play. Although the GTT is predominantly used to diagnose type 2 diabetes, it is also used for the diagnosis of gestational diabetes.</p>

<p>You may also like : <a href="https://mylofamily.com/article/gestational-diabetes-mellitus-in-pregnancy-171519?">Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in Pregnancy</a></p>

<h2><strong>Important things to know before going for GTT</strong></h2>

<p>Here are some steps you should follow to help prepare for your glucose tolerance test:</p>

<ul>
	<li>
	<p>First and foremost, eight hours of fasting right before the test is mandatory. During the fasting period, beverages containing caffeine are strictly prohibited as these may distort the results. However, plain water can be consumed.</p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p>You must discuss with your doctor if you already suffer from an allergy or any other underlying medical condition and also the medications you are currently taking. Your doctor may have specific instructions for you to get ready for the test.</p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p>A urine sample may be needed before the test and therefore you need to hold on to your bladder for a while.</p>
	</li>
</ul>

<h2><strong>What happens in GTT?</strong></h2>

<p>The GTT is a long process involving several steps. When you arrive for the test after the fasting period of eight hours, a normal blood sample is the first thing the test lab attendant will take to measure your fasting blood sugar level. After this, the testing process differs slightly depending on the reason for the test, i.e. are you being tested for Diabetes or Gestational Diabetes.</p>

<h3><strong>1. GTT for testing Diabetes</strong></h3>

<p>After the blood sample for fasting sugar level is taken, a glass full of concentrated sugar solution or syrup is given to the patient for the next steps to be performed. This takes about two hours and a blood sample is taken after one hour and then finally at two hours to measure sugar levels. The patient can leave after this. Generally, fifty to seventy-five grams of glucose is mixed in two fifty to three hundred ml of water for this test. The amount of sugary syrup may be different in the case of children depending upon age.</p>

<h3><strong>2. GTT for testing Gestational Diabetes</strong></h3>

<p>The GTT process for testing Gestational Diabetes is somewhat similar to the process for testing diabetes but has some slight differences. There are generally two levels of tests for diagnosing or testing gestational Diabetes. The first one is exactly the same as the test described above. The second one generally involves two stages of testing and is done only if the first test bears a positive result.</p>

<p>It involves two stages depending on how the results appear at each stage - the first stage is a fasting level test, then a test after one hour followed by a test after two hours if the one-hour test levels are found to be high. This means a total testing period of three hours if one-hour levels are high or abnormal.</p>

<p>In the three-hour test, the lab attendant or the person conducting the test will ask you to consume a syrupy glucose solution that contains approximately 100 grams of sugar and then your blood sample will be taken at the intervals described above.</p>

<p style="text-align:center"><iframe frameborder="0" height="167" sandbox="allow-scripts allow-same-origin" scrolling="no" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1gQ2r1XGjJ4" title="YouTube video player" width="315"></iframe></p>

<h2><strong>How is gestational diabetes diagnosed with GTT?</strong></h2>

<p>Usually, if the one-hour test shows a result higher than 140 mg/dl you will be sent to the next part which is the three-hour test. However, if the one-hour test results shoot beyond 190 mg/ dl you are already considered to be diagnosed with gestational diabetes.</p>

<p>For cases involving the three-hour GTT, the doctor may diagnose you to be normal and not suffering from gestational diabetes if two of the four blood results are lower than the following:</p>

<ul>
	<li>In the normal fasting test, the blood sugar level is lower than 95 mg/dl</li>
	<li>After consuming the sugary syrup:</li>
</ul>

<ol>
	<li>In the one-hour test, the blood glucose level is lower than 180 mg/dl</li>
	<li>In the two-hour test, the blood glucose level is lower than 155 mg/dl</li>
	<li>In the three-hour test, the blood glucose level is lower than 140 mg/dl</li>
</ol>

<p>However, in the three-hour test, if any of these levels go beyond the normal ranges described above, you are likely to be asked by your doctor to repeat the test after a month. If one or more than one finding still falls beyond the normal range, you will be diagnosed with gestational diabetes.</p>

<p>Also read : <a href="https://mylofamily.com/article/top-7-diet-tips-to-control-your-sugar-levels-during-pregnancy-25425">Top 7 Diet Tips to Control Your Sugar Levels During Pregnancy</a></p>

<h2><strong>Are there any risks involved in GTT?</strong></h2>

<p>GTT is considered a pretty safe procedure in itself but some people may face minor side effects. The ideal way to give the blood sample for the tests is in a lying down or sitting position. You must follow the doctor or lab attendant&rsquo;s advice during and after the test. It is very important that you absolutely do not eat or drink anything on your own during the testing period as it may impair the test results. It is also important to have a normal, balanced diet in the days preceding the test.</p>

<h2><strong>Closing Thoughts</strong></h2>

<p>Gestational Diabetes can lead to several pregnancy complications. Doctors recommend and perform GTT typically between weeks 24 and 28 of the pregnancy. GTT is performed much earlier in the pregnancy if the woman is perceived to be at risk of diabetes or has already suffered from diabetes earlier.</p>

<p>A constant screening of increased sugar levels during pregnancy also becomes important because, after childbirth, women who suffered from gestational diabetes face an increased risk of diabetes and recurring gestational diabetes because of their underlying condition, which often gets aggravated by fat accumulation during pregnancy and post-pregnancy <a href="https://mylofamily.com/article/5-steps-to-a-healthy-lifestyle-the-blueprint-for-your-wellness-journey-31774?">lifestyle changes</a>.</p>

<p>GTT as a test or being diagnosed with gestational diabetes is nothing to be terribly scared of. You can easily prevent complications by diligently following your doctor&rsquo;s advice and managing your sugar level during your pregnancy.</p>

<p>References</p>

<p>1. Rani PR, Begum J. (2016). Screening and Diagnosis of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus, Where Do We Stand. J Clin Diagn Res.</p>

<p>2. Gupta Y, Kalra B, Baruah MP, Singla R, Kalra S. (2015). Updated guidelines on screening for gestational diabetes. Int J Womens Health.</p>


Has your doctor recommended you a glucose tolerance test during pregnancy? Here is everything you need to know about the procedure, precautions, diagnoses and risks. 

Glucose Tolerance Test in Pregnancy: What to Expect | MyloFamily

An Expecting Mother's Guide to Glucose Tolerance Test (GTT)

<>Mylo Editor

<p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:16px">Finally, you are on the stage to welcome your baby. Well, right now, you are a little nervous and excited too since you have been waiting for this moment for a long time. Thus, to ensure everything is well, especially the health of the baby and the mother, doctors perform these basic tests during your pregnancy. </span></p>

<h2 style="text-align:justify"><strong>Common Tests Done During Pregnancy</strong></h2>

<p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:16px">Here we have listed below the most common tests women have to undergo: </span></p>

<h3 style="text-align:justify"><strong>1. Fetal Nuchal Translucency (NT)</strong></h3>

<p><span style="font-size:16px">The nuchal translucency screening test is part of an ultrasound test, which is done to check the back area of the fetal neck for any extra fluid or thickness. This test is usually done during the first trimester. It aims to determine your baby&#39;s risk of congenital conditions such as Down Syndrome. </span></p>

<h3><strong>2. Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS)</strong></h3>

<p><span style="font-size:16px">CVS involves taking some of the placental tissue to check it for chromosome or genetic problems. It is usually done during weeks 10 and 13 of your pregnancy. The procedure involves inserting a small tube or catheter into your cervix through the vagina. For a transabdominal CVS, the provider puts the needle through your abdomen and into the uterus to collect sample cells from the placenta. </span></p>

<h3><strong>3. Group B Streptococcus Screening</strong></h3>

<p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:16px">It is a type of bacteria that can occur without generating any negative effects in women&#39;s reproductive tract. Studies prove that 30% of healthy women can have this bacterium that does not create any issues. But in some cases, it can lead to serious infection. The testing is simple and involves taking a sample from the vagina. </span></p>

<h3 style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:16px"><strong>4. Fetal Heart Rate Test</strong></span></h3>

<p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:16px">This test is performed to check your baby&#39;s heart rate and rhythm. Your doctor may monitor your baby&#39;s heart rate several times throughout the pregnancy but especially during late pregnancy and labor. The average fetal heart rate is between 110-160 beats per minute. An abnormal fetal heart rate may mean that your baby is either not getting enough oxygen or facing some other problems. </span></p>

<h3 style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:16px"><strong>5. Non Stress Test (NST)</strong></span></h3>

<p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:16px">The non-stress test includes a fetal monitor attached to the mother&#39;s abdomen to measure the baby&#39;s health and movements. It is called a stress test because it is a way to check the stress in the fetus. </span></p>

<h3 style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:16px"><strong>6. Contraction Stress Test (CST)</strong></span></h3>

<p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:16px">The contraction stress test is just like NST. This is another way to ensure the baby&#39;s heart rate and health. In this baby&#39;s heart rate is measured in response to Oxytocin or by stimulation of nipples. </span></p>

<h3><strong>7. Alpha-fetoprotein Screening (AFP)</strong></h3>

<p><span style="font-size:16px">Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) screening test is a blood test that measures the level of alpha-fetoprotein during pregnancy. AFP is a type of protein made by the fetal liver and its levels vary throughout the pregnancy. The AFP is present in the amniotic fluid and crosses the placenta and into your blood. Abnormal levels of AFP may indicate open neural defects such as spina bifida, chromosomal problems, twins or wrong due date. </span></p>

<h3 style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:16px"><strong>8. Ultrasound Examinations</strong></span></h3>

<p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:16px">Apart from Biophysical, ultrasound examinations are also performed in nine months of pregnancy. These ultrasound scans examine fetal growth, check the conditions in-utero and look for anomalies or problems if there are any. Your doctor will also conduct blood tests during the pregnancy for various purposes. </span></p>

<h2 style="text-align:justify"><strong><span style="font-size:16px">The Bottom Line </span></strong></h2>

<p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:16px">We have mentioned the most common tests of pregnancy. The doctor will help you know better what more tests you and your baby require before the delivery. Be sure to ask any questions or doubts you may feel about these tests from your doctor. These tests are safe for you and your baby and are done to ensure that your pregnancy is progressing smoothly. </span></p>


During the nine months of your pregnancy, you will undergo a number of prenatal tests to determine your and your baby's health. Read this article to know what are the most common tests done during pregnancy. 

Common Tests During Pregnancy

What Are the Common Tests You Will Have During Your Pregnancy?

<>Priyanka | Mylo Editor

<p>If you are actively trying to conceive, then missing your menstrual periods is considered as one of the first signs of pregnancy. The journey of pregnancy is different for every woman. Not every woman experiences the same pregnancy symptoms because of their different body type or any chronic disease if persists. The moment you start planning to have a baby and you experience a menstrual irregularity, you must speak to your gynecologist. At times, before heading to the doctor or begore doing a pregnancy test, you might experience some early signs of pregnancy without realizing that you&rsquo;re pregnant. Only a pregnancy test kit can give you the surety of a confirmed pregnancy.</p>

<h2><strong>Early Signs of Pregnancy</strong></h2>

<p>Below-mentioned are some early signs of pregnancy that some women notice before even taking a pregnancy test:</p>

<h3><strong>1. Spotting/ Implantation and cramping</strong></h3>

<p><a href="https://mylofamily.com/article/is-it-implantation-bleeding-%E2%80%94-or-just-my-period-1546">When a fertilized egg attaches to the lining of the uterus after conception</a> then some women experience light spotting which is also known as implantation bleeding. The spotting or slight bleeding is usually lighter in color than normal menstrual blood and it occurs in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Not all women experience it, however if you notice it, you must report it to your doctor. Besides bleeding, some women experience mild cramps which resemble menstrual cramps and are also mistaken as the beginning of the menstrual period.</p>

<h3><strong>2. Breast Changes</strong></h3>

<p>A lot of hormonal changes happen after conception. It becomes sore, swollen, has visible veins, and is tender to touch. The dark area around the nipples (areola) may also darken.</p>

<h3><strong>3. Nausea (with or without vomiting)</strong></h3>

<p>Some women experience morning sickness in extreme at any time of the day whereas some never experience it. Changes in the hormonal levels make the pregnant woman feel nauseated and it is one of the common early signs as well.</p>

<h3><strong>4. Frequent urination</strong></h3>

<p>The human body produces a hormone called HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) in the first few weeks of pregnancy which increases the blood flow to the pelvic region. That makes your kidneys work hard and puts pressure on your bladder which makes your loo trips endless.</p>

<h3><strong>5. Fatigue/Tiredness</strong></h3>

<p>The rise in your progesterone levels makes you feel sleepy day and night. A lot is happening inside your body which makes you feel tired and exhausted.</p>

<h3><strong>6. Constipation</strong></h3>

<p>The hormonal changes slow down your intestinal functioning. The increase in progesterone levels relaxes your muscles while preparing your body for childbirth and this makes your digestive system work slow.</p>

<h3><strong>7. Aversions/Food cravings</strong></h3>

<p>One of the strange changes that you will be experiencing from the beginning of your pregnancy is that your favorite food may no longer tempt you and you may find yourself craving certain food items like desserts, tangy fruits, spicy, etc.</p>

<h3><strong>8. Moodiness</strong></h3>

<p>You may find yourself struggling with severe mood swings like at one point you are annoyed and weepy and in fractions of seconds you feel elated. If your mood swings are happening in extreme then you must seek a therapist because this happens due to changes in your hormones.</p>

<h3><strong>9. Headaches</strong></h3>

<p>Many pregnant women complaints about frequent mild headaches which happen due to the increased blood volume and hormones. <a href="https://mylofamily.com/article/symptoms-management-of-high-blood-pressure-in-pregnancy-152182">Hypertension and high blood pressure levels</a> also result in severe headaches during the beginning of pregnancy.</p>

<h3><strong>10. Hip pain and Back pain</strong></h3>

<p>Increasing weight and some changes in your body like pressure on your ligaments, a heavier uterus, sciatica, changes in your posture, and shifted the center of gravity leads to severe hip and <a href="https://mylofamily.com/article/back-pain-during-pregnancy-149684">back pain during the pregnancy</a>.</p>

<h3><strong>11. Acne</strong></h3>

<p>Many women experience acne during pregnancy due to the increase of the androgen hormone. This pregnancy acne is temporary and it clears up after the child&#39;s birth.</p>

<p>Some women experience different early pregnancy symptoms like insomnia, depression, diarrhea, heartburn, bloating, and fainting. You can be pregnant without experiencing the above-mentioned early signs of pregnancy. Still, if you miss your periods and notice any of the above signs, then you must take a home pregnancy test and make an appointment with your gynecologist. The sooner your pregnancy is confirmed, the better your entire journey of pregnancy will be. Prenatal care plays a vital role during this blissful journey.</p>

<p> </p>


Dr. Ritu S Santwani

At times, before heading to the doctor or begore doing a pregnancy test, you might experience some early signs of pregnancy without realizing that you’re pregnant. We have curated a list of such symptoms for you match. Take a look!

Are You Aware of These 11 Early Signs and Symptoms of Pregnancy? 

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