What to Expect With Gestational Diabetes During Pregnancy
Gestational diabetes is characterized by high blood sugar during pregnancy, and it can lead to complications if left untreated. Here's what expectant parents should know.
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Medically reviewed by Alyssa Dweck, MS, MD, FACOG
If you're pregnant or hoping to become pregnant soon, it's important to be as healthy as possible. One major reason for this is to reduce your chances of gestational diabetes.
Gestational diabetes occurs when a pregnant person's placental hormones interfere with insulin's job, resulting in elevated glucose (blood sugar) levels during pregnancy, says Joy Cornthwaite, RD, certified diabetes care and educational specialist with UTHealth Houston. It affects people who didn't have diabetes before becoming pregnant.
Though it's relatively uncommon, cases of gestational diabetes among pregnant people are on the rise in recent years. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that gestational diabetes affects 2% to 10% of pregnancies each year.
Thankfully, with some advanced planning and modifications, it might be possible to avoid gestational diabetes and have a healthy pregnancy. Keep reading for a guide on gestational diabetes, including causes, treatments, symptoms, and prevention.
What is Gestational Diabetes?
Gestational diabetes is a pregnancy condition that occurs if your body fails to use insulin properly, leading to high blood sugar. Left untreated, it can cause complications like preterm delivery, C-section, birth injuries, preeclampsia, and a high birthweight baby. Treatment usually involves diet and exercise modifications.
Causes of Gestational Diabetes
Experts don't know the exact cause of gestational diabetes. Several risk factors can increase your likelihood of being diagnosed, including the following.
Becoming pregnant at a weight that's considered overweight or obese
Lack of physical activity
History of gestational diabetes in a previous pregnancy
Diagnosis of prediabetes
Family history of diabetes
Age over 25 years
Previous delivery of a baby weighing more than 9 pounds
Being Black, Latinx, or South and East Asian, Native American, or Pacific Islander
Gestational Diabetes Symptoms
Not every pregnant person who develops gestational diabetes will experience symptoms. But if you notice any of the following symptoms, and they seem to exist outside of your normal pregnancy experience, be sure to speak with your doctor.
More frequent urination
Increased thirst
Fatigue
Nausea
It's important to get gestational diabetes under control as quickly as possible. When proper precautions are taken, it's possible to have a healthy pregnancy and baby, even with gestational diabetes.
Related: 11 Pregnancy Symptoms You Shouldn't Ignore
Possible Complications of Gestational Diabetes
Untreated gestational diabetes can have potential complications for both the pregnant person and the baby. However, Cornthwaite reminds, "these risks can all be reduced with appropriate education, support, and monitoring of glucose levels after diagnosis of gestational diabetes."
Possible complications of gestational diabetes include:
Greater likelihood of C-section delivery
Increased risk of birth injuries
Maternal high blood pressure and preeclampsia
Breathing problems for the baby after birth
Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) in the baby after delivery; this can lead to seizures in serious cases
High birthweight baby (9 pounds or more), which can complicate delivery
Stillbirth
Greater risk of anxiety or depression during pregnancy
Your blood sugar levels should return to normal shortly after you deliver the baby. That said, about half of people with gestational diabetes will go on to develop type 2 diabetes, says the CDC. The organization recommends testing your blood sugar 6 to 12 weeks after your baby is born. After that, you should get tested every 1 to 3 years.
Your baby will also have a greater chance of being overweight or having a type 2 diabetes diagnosis later in life.
Related: I'm a Teen With Type 1 Diabetes—It Impacts My Life More Than You Know
Testing for Gestational Diabetes
The gestational diabetes screening test is ideally done between 24 and 28 weeks. That's "when pregnancy hormones have risen to levels that can impact and cause maternal hyperglycemia," says Cornthwaite.
You'll be asked to drink a soda-like liquid that contains glucose. "Then, you'll have your blood drawn an hour later to test your glucose levels," says Cornthwaite. "If the results indicate your glucose levels are abnormally high (a positive result), you'll be asked to return to the office to complete a three-hour glucose tolerance test to confirm or reject a diagnosis of gestational diabetes."
Gestational Diabetes Treatment and Management
If you receive a diagnosis of gestational diabetes, treatment options will allow you to keep your blood sugar levels in check. Most of the time, self-care, exercise, and better nutrition are all that's needed. Cornthwaite recommends the following lifestyle modifications in order to treat and manage gestational diabetes.
Balanced nutrition. Meal planning is important for management of glucose during pregnancy, says Cornthwaite. Aim for a good balance of high-fiber foods, lean protein foods, and small, frequent meals to provide more consistent energy and reduce cravings. "Asking for a diabetes educator referral (maternal specialty) can be extremely beneficial to personalized care and support," says Cornthwaite.
Regular physical activity. Your health care provider can help you come up with a regular exercise plan while pregnant, as regular movement is key for managing gestational diabetes. Also, walking after meals for 15-20 minutes will help the muscles to lower glucose, without interference from pregnancy hormones.
Monitored blood sugar. Your doctor should give you guidance on this.
If healthy eating and being active aren’t enough to manage your blood sugar, your doctor may prescribe insulin or other medication.
Is Gestational Diabetes Preventable?
In some cases, it won't be possible to prevent the onset of gestational diabetes. Certain factors may predispose you to having abnormally high levels of blood sugar in your body during pregnancy.
However, says Cornthwaite, there are modifiable risks like weight, self-care, and level of physical activity that you can address before becoming pregnant that can help reduce your chances of developing gestational diabetes.
"Discuss weight management goals with your primary care physician or OB ahead of pregnancy. Even a reduction of 10% body weight can positively impact pregnancy outcomes," she says.
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