BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- The International Diabetes Federation reports that more than 285 million people worldwide now live with diabetes and they predict that within 20 years, that number will jump to 435 million.

In order to equip health care professionals with the latest guidance in diabetes care, the Federation recently released new clinical guidelines that cover topics such as gestational diabetes and proper use of at-home blood glucose testing.

Though monitoring blood glucose levels at home was previously suggested only for those diabetics taking insulin injections, the guidelines recommended that those who manage their diabetes through oral medication should also keep track of their blood glucose at home.

The report also offered the Federation's first-ever guidelines on diabetes and pregnancy and advised that diabetic women wishing to conceive should get pre-pregnancy advice from doctors, consider stopping oral blood sugar medications and certain blood pressure medications, and begin folic acid therapy.

Concerning gestational diabetes, which has become increasingly common in the past years, the report said that early action is key and any pregnant woman who tests abnormal for blood sugar levels should be considered for diabetes treatment.