Gestational Diabetes: Diagnosis, Treatment, and More
Every year, up to 9% of pregnancies are affected by gestational diabetes.[1] If you’ve recently been diagnosed you may be wondering what it means for you, your baby, and your pregnancy.
In today’s blog, we’re exploring gestational diabetes—including symptoms, treatment, prevention, and how it could affect your pregnancy. Keep reading to learn more.
What is Gestational Diabetes?
Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that develops only in pregnancy as a result of hyperglycemia (high blood sugar levels).[2] It occurs when the hormones from the placenta prevent the body from making or using insulin.[3]
What are the Symptoms of Gestational Diabetes?
There are usually no obvious signs of gestational diabetes. Some symptoms go unnoticed until women are tested.[4]
If you do have symptoms, you may experience[5]:
- Nausea
- Tiredness
- Increased urination
- Excessive thirst
How is Gestational Diabetes Diagnosed and Treated?
Diagnosis
Doctors typically test for gestational diabetes between 24 to 28 weeks of pregnancy. However, they may test earlier if you are at high risk for developing it.[6]
There are two tests that can be performed to diagnose gestational diabetes. The first is a screening, which identifies people who are more likely to have it. If you don’t pass the initial screening, the doctor will order a diabetes blood test.[7]
- Glucose Screening. During the initial glucose screening, you will drink a sweet liquid and wait for one hour. After the hour, a healthcare provider will take a blood sample from your arm. If your blood sugar levels are too high, your doctor will order a comprehensive glucose tolerance test.
- Glucose tolerance test. You will fast for 8 hours before the glucose tolerance test. During the test, a healthcare provider will draw your blood at one, two, and three-hour intervals after drinking a sweet liquid. This test will confirm that you have gestational diabetes.
Treatment
Once you have been diagnosed, you’ll be required to attend more frequent checkups during your pregnancy to ensure your condition is being managed effectively. Your pregnancy care provider will want to closely monitor the growth of the fetus to make sure it isn’t getting too big. They will also want to discuss the trends of your blood sugar levels.
Treatment for gestational diabetes includes[8]:
- Blood sugar monitoring. For the rest of your pregnancy, your doctor will require you to check your blood sugar levels four or more times a day to ensure they stay within a healthy range. You will check your levels first thing in the morning and after meals.
- Healthy diet. Your doctor may recommend working with a dietician to create a healthy meal plan for your pregnancy. Your diet should focus on foods that are highly nutritious and low in fat and calories, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean protein.
- Regular exercise. Exercising regularly can help lower blood sugar. It can also help relieve some uncomfortable pregnancy symptoms, such as swelling, constipation muscle cramps, back pain, and sleeping issues.
- Medication. Some women need insulin injections or medication to manage their blood sugar levels during pregnancy.
Who is at Risk for Gestational Diabetes?
Anyone can develop gestational diabetes during pregnancy, but there are certain factors that can increase the risk. Examples include[9]:
- Being overweight before pregnancy
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
- PCOS (Polycystic ovary syndrome)
- History of gestational diabetes in past pregnancies
- Family history of Type 2 diabetes
- Prediabetes (history of higher-than-normal blood glucose levels)
- Being over the age of 35[10]
- Having previously had a baby that weighed more than 9 pounds[11]
Additionally, women who are of Pacific Island, Native American, Hispanic, or South and East Asian descent are at higher risk of developing gestational diabetes.[12]
Does Gestational Diabetes Go Away?
Gestational diabetes usually goes away after birth. When it does not go away, it becomes type 2 diabetes.[13]
How to Prevent Gestational Diabetes
Gestational diabetes isn’t completely preventable, but there are things you can do to lower your risk. Eating a healthy, balanced diet and exercising regularly can help to reduce your risk of developing the disease.[14]
How Does Gestational Diabetes Affect the Baby?
When left untreated, gestational diabetes can lead to complications for the fetus, such as[15]:
- Premature birth
- Increased birth weight
- Breathing problems at birth
- Shoulder getting stuck at birth (shoulder dystocia)
- Stillbirth
- Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), which can cause seizures in newborns
- Type 2 diabetes later in life
- Obesity later in life
Gestational Diabetes Testing in Denver, Colorado
Gestational diabetes is serious, but manageable. With proper care and treatment, many women with gestational diabetes can have healthy babies.
If you think you may have gestational diabetes, Marisol Health is here to help. Our patients receive gestational diabetes testing and referrals for treatment, so they can get the care they deserve all throughout pregnancy!
Give us a call at (719) 284-2300 or request an appointment online to get started.
Please be aware that Marisol Health does not provide or refer for abortion services.
Sources
- About Gestational Diabetes. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, May 15). https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/about/gestational-diabetes.html#
- Cleveland Clinic. (2024, August 8). Gestational Diabetes. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9012-gestational-diabetes
- See source #2.
- See source #2.
- See source #2.
- See source #2.
- See source #2.
- Mayo Clinic. (2022, April 9). Gestational Diabetes – Diagnosis & Treatment. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gestational-diabetes/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20355345
- See source #2.
- ACOG Practice Bulletin No. 190: Gestational Diabetes Mellitus. Obstet Gynecol. 2018 Feb;131(2):e49-e64. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000002501. PMID: 29370047.
- Mayo Clinic. (2022, April 9). Gestational Diabetes – Symptoms & Causes. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gestational-diabetes/symptoms-causes/syc-20355339
- See source #2.
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2016, August 26). Diabetes and Pregnancy. National Institutes of Health. https://orwh.od.nih.gov/research/maternal-morbidity-and-mortality/information-for-women/diabetes-and-pregnancy
- See source #2.
- See source #2.