24 Weeks Pregnant: Glucose Test and the Leave Conversation
The lungs are developing cells that will make surfactant, a substance that helps the air sacs inflate after birth. The baby's skin is thin and translucent.
Your to-do list this week
- Drive her to the glucose screening and bring a snack for afterward. Some tests require fasting; check the instructions.
- Learn what gestational diabetes is, so a positive result doesn't send you both down a search-engine spiral.
- Have the leave conversation with your manager this month with a draft plan from the leave planner.
- Ask HR about forms, deadlines, and whether you can file your state paid leave claim before the birth.
"Here's the leave plan I'm thinking about. What would make it better for you?" Bring a draft, not a decision.
The baby this week
About the length of an ear of corn, the baby is filling out. The lungs are developing the cells that make surfactant, a substance that helps tiny air sacs inflate after birth (Mayo Clinic). The skin is still thin and see-through, though fat is gradually being added.
How she may be feeling
Itchy stretching skin, swollen ankles, backache. Possibly feeling great, too; the second trimester is generous to some.
The glucose test
Between 24 and 28 weeks, most practices screen for gestational diabetes, which is diabetes that develops during pregnancy. According to ACOG, she’ll drink a sugary solution and have blood drawn about an hour later. If the number is high, a longer, fasting test follows to confirm.
What helps:
- Read the prep instructions. Some practices want fasting; most don’t for the first screening.
- Drive her and bring a snack for afterward. The drink is unpleasant and the wait is boring.
- If it comes back high, don’t panic. Many people who fail the screen pass the follow-up. If it is gestational diabetes, it’s treatable, mostly through diet and activity, and you can make that easier: cook to the plan, walk after dinner together.
Pitch your leave plan
If you haven’t talked to your manager yet, this month is a good time. Under the FMLA, you generally need to give 30 days’ notice for foreseeable leave, and many employers and state programs have their own forms and timelines.
Bring:
- Expected dates from the leave planner, with a note that babies arrive when they arrive.
- A coverage plan for your work: who handles what, and what can pause.
- A clear contact policy. “I’ll be offline, and [name] can reach me in an emergency” works better than “I’ll check email.”
More in how to ask for paternity leave.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the glucose screening test?
A test, usually between 24 and 28 weeks, that checks how her body handles sugar. She drinks a sugary solution and has blood drawn after a set time. If the result is high, a longer follow-up test is usually done to diagnose gestational diabetes.
Is gestational diabetes serious?
It needs management, but it's common and treatable. Most people manage it with diet changes and exercise; some need medication. Blood sugar usually returns to normal after birth, though it raises the risk of type 2 diabetes later, so follow-up testing is recommended.
Sources
- Gestational Diabetes, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
- Fetal development: The 2nd trimester, Mayo Clinic
- Family and Medical Leave Act, U.S. Department of Labor
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