Overview
Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that is first recognized during pregnancy. It happens when the body cannot use insulin well enough to keep blood sugar in a healthy range. It is important because uncontrolled blood sugar can affect pregnancy, delivery, and the baby's health.
Key Symptoms
Gestational diabetes often causes no noticeable symptoms. Some people may have increased thirst, urinate more often, or feel more tired than usual, but these can also happen in normal pregnancy. Because symptoms may be absent, routine pregnancy screening is important.
Causes and Risk Factors
Pregnancy hormones can make it harder for the body to use insulin, especially later in pregnancy. Risk may be higher with a family history of diabetes, a history of gestational diabetes, excess body weight, polycystic ovary syndrome, or having had a large baby before. Some ethnic and population groups are also affected more often, but anyone who is pregnant can develop it.
Who Is Affected
Gestational diabetes affects people during pregnancy, usually in the second or third trimester. It can happen in a first pregnancy or later pregnancies. People who had gestational diabetes before are more likely to have it again in a future pregnancy.
Prevention
Not all cases can be prevented. Starting pregnancy at a healthy weight when possible, staying physically active, and following a balanced eating pattern may lower risk for some people. Early prenatal care can help identify risk factors and support timely screening.
Diagnosis and Tests
Healthcare professionals usually screen for gestational diabetes during pregnancy with blood sugar testing, often between 24 and 28 weeks, or earlier if risk is higher. Testing may involve drinking a sugary liquid and checking blood sugar levels afterward. If results are abnormal, follow-up testing is used to confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment Categories
Treatment aims to keep blood sugar in a target range throughout pregnancy. Care may include blood sugar monitoring, changes in eating habits, physical activity, and sometimes medicine such as insulin or other glucose-lowering treatment chosen by a clinician. Regular follow-up is important to watch the health of both parent and baby.
Diet and Lifestyle
A care team may suggest regular meals, balanced carbohydrates, and attention to portion size. Light to moderate physical activity may help blood sugar control if a clinician says it is appropriate in pregnancy. People should follow personalized advice from their maternity or diabetes team rather than trying restrictive diets on their own.
When to Seek Medical Care
Contact a healthcare professional if you are pregnant and have been told you have high blood sugar, miss recommended testing, or have trouble following the care plan. Also seek care for reduced fetal movements, frequent vomiting, signs of high blood pressure such as severe headache or vision changes, or symptoms that are getting worse. After delivery, follow-up testing is important because blood sugar problems can continue or return later.
Questions to Ask a Healthcare Professional
You may want to ask what your blood sugar targets are, how often to monitor, and what foods and activities fit your pregnancy. Ask how gestational diabetes could affect labor, birth planning, and breastfeeding. It is also helpful to ask when you should have follow-up diabetes testing after the baby is born.