Gestational Diabetes: Symptoms, Screening, and Pregnancy Care Tips

Gestational diabetes is diabetes that develops during pregnancy. It affects how the body uses sugar and can lead to higher blood sugar levels. While the diagnosis can feel overwhelming at first, gestational diabetes can often be managed with the right monitoring, nutrition guidance, activity, and prenatal care.

The most important step is knowing when screening happens and how your care team can help protect both you and your baby.

What Causes Gestational Diabetes?

During pregnancy, the placenta produces hormones that help support the baby’s growth. These hormones can also make it harder for insulin to work effectively. Insulin is the hormone that helps move sugar from the blood into the body’s cells.

When the body cannot make enough insulin to keep blood sugar in a healthy range, gestational diabetes may develop.

Are There Symptoms?

Many women with gestational diabetes do not notice clear symptoms. That is one reason screening is so important. Some women may experience increased thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, or blurred vision, but these symptoms can also overlap with normal pregnancy changes.

Because symptoms are not always obvious, prenatal testing is the best way to identify gestational diabetes.

When Is Screening Done?

Gestational diabetes screening is commonly performed between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy. ACOG supports screening and management guidelines for gestational diabetes, and its patient guidance notes that special care is needed during and after pregnancy when gestational diabetes develops.

Some patients may need earlier screening if they have risk factors such as a history of gestational diabetes, prediabetes, diabetes risk factors, or certain health conditions. Your OB/GYN will determine the right timing based on your individual history.

Why Gestational Diabetes Matters

When blood sugar stays elevated, it can increase the risk of complications during pregnancy and delivery. It may affect the baby’s growth, increase the chance of a larger baby, raise the likelihood of delivery complications, and increase the baby’s risk of low blood sugar after birth.

Gestational diabetes can also increase the mother’s future risk of type 2 diabetes, making postpartum follow-up important.

Pregnancy Care Tips for Gestational Diabetes

If you are diagnosed with gestational diabetes, your care plan may include:

Blood Sugar Monitoring

Your provider may ask you to check your blood sugar at specific times during the day. These numbers help guide your care plan.

Nutrition Support

Balanced meals with protein, fiber, and healthy carbohydrates can help support steadier blood sugar. You do not have to figure this out alone. Your care team can provide guidance.

Safe Movement

Physical activity, when approved by your provider, may help improve blood sugar control during pregnancy.

Ongoing Prenatal Care

You may need additional monitoring, depending on your blood sugar levels and your baby’s growth.

Medication When Needed

Some women may need medication or insulin if lifestyle changes are not enough. This does not mean you failed. It means your body needs extra support during pregnancy.

After Delivery

Gestational diabetes usually improves after delivery, but follow-up testing is important. Women who had gestational diabetes may have a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes later. Your provider can help create a postpartum and long-term prevention plan.

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Gestational diabetes is a condition that only occurs during pregnancy. It is similar to other types of diabetes. It affects how your blood uses sugar or glucose. Gestational diabetes causes high blood sugar, which affects the health of the baby and the mother. Gestational diabetes can be controlled by eating healthy foods, exercising, and taking medication if necessary.

Most women who have gestational diabetes return to normal after the birth of the child. Those who have had gestational diabetes during pregnancy will have a higher risk of developing type two diabetes later in life. Increased thirst and frequent urination are possible signs of gestational diabetes. A lot of women do not show noticeable signs of gestational diabetes, so testing is necessary.

Some women are more at risk than others for suffering from gestational diabetes. Women of color are more susceptible to this condition. Women with a history of diabetes in the family or are at the most significant risk. Women who are overweight or lack physical activity are also at high risk.

A woman with gestational diabetes can develop other conditions as well. Preeclampsia is most common in women who have gestational diabetes. Under these conditions, the fetus will need to be delivered immediately, whether fully developed or not. Women who develop gestational diabetes will need to see the OB/Gyn more often to be monitored for these types of complications, especially during the last trimester of pregnancy.

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If you are pregnant and at average risk of gestational diabetes, you will receive a screening for the common disease between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy. At your appointment, you will be given a syrupy glucose solution to drink. One hour after you drink the concoction, you will have a blood test to determine your blood sugar level. If your blood sugar level is higher than normal, you will have a similar follow-up test and will have your blood drawn every hour for three hours. If you are diagnosed with gestational diabetes, you will be provided a proper diet and depending on the severity, may need insulin during the rest of your pregnancy. Gestational diabetes increases the risk of high blood pressure and preeclampsia, which makes an early delivery more likely but not absolute. We will follow you closely to monitor the health of the baby. The good news is gestational diabetes resolves within months of giving birth. If you are pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant, contact Women’s Health and Menopause Center in West Bloomfield, Michigan today to schedule an appointment with one of our caring, expert obstetricians.

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Around 18% of pregnant women experience gestational diabetes. The female body becomes more insulin resistant during pregnancy. This occurs to make more glucose available to provide nourishment to the growing baby. For most women, the pancreas will adjust production when the body requires more insulin. With gestational diabetes, the pancreas cannot keep up which causes blood sugar levels to rise.

What Are the Signs of Gestational Diabetes?

Most women who develop gestational diabetes notice no symptoms. That’s why it is important to follow your recommended regimen and have screening tests done between weeks 24 and 28. The most common method used to screen for this condition is an oral test. The patient is given a sweet liquid to drink. A blood test is done an hour later to check glucose levels.

When the results are high, a longer test will likely be required. The patient will have to fast, then drink the liquid again. Their blood is tested while fasting and again after hour one, two, and three.

Gestational Diabetes Treatment

Most gestational diabetes can be managed by adopting a healthy lifestyle. That includes exercise and eating nutritious foods that release sugar slowly like vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. Some women may be prescribed an anti-hyperglycemic medication to help balance blood sugar.

Insulin injections are also used. Patients may need up to three per day and will be taught how to administer the injection themselves. By managing blood sugar levels and staying in touch with your doctor, you can enjoy a comfortable pregnancy and give birth to a healthy baby.

If you are thinking about getting pregnant or are currently pregnant, contact Women’s Health and Menopause Center today to schedule an appointment for proper prenatal care to ensure optimal health for you and your baby.

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