Gestational diabetes is a condition in which your blood sugar levels become high during
pregnancy. It affects up to 10% of women who are pregnant in the U.S. each year. It affects pregnant women who haven’t ever been diagnosed with diabetes. There are two classes of gestational diabetes. Women with class A1 can manage it through diet and exercise. Those who have class A2 need to take insulin or other medications. Gestational diabetes goes away after you give birth. But it can affect your
baby’s health, and it raises your risk of getting type 2 diabetes later in life. You can take steps so you and your baby stay healthy. Women with gestational diabetes usually don’t have symptoms
or may chalk them up to pregnancy. Most find out that they have it during a routine screening. When you eat, your pancreas releases
insulin, a hormone that helps move a sugar called glucose from your blood to your cells, which use it for energy. During pregnancy, your placenta makes hormones that cause glucose to build up in your blood. Usually, your pancreas can send out enough insulin to handle it. But if your body can’t make enough insulin or stops using insulin as it should, your blood sugar levels rise, and you get gestational diabetes. You’re more likely to get gestational diabetes if you: Gestational diabetes usually happens in the second half of pregnancy. Your doctor will check for it between weeks 24 and 28, or sooner if you're at high risk. Your doctor will give you a glucose tolerance test: You’ll drink 50 grams of glucose in a sweet drink, which will raise your blood sugar. An hour later, you’ll take a blood glucose test to see how
your body handled all that sugar. If the results show that your blood sugar is higher than a certain level, you’ll need a 3-hour oral glucose tolerance test, meaning you’ll get a blood glucose test 3 hours after you drink a 100-gram glucose drink. Your doctor can also test you by having you fast for 12 hours, then giving you a 75-gram glucose drink and a 2-hour blood glucose test. If you’re at high risk but your test results are normal, your doctor might test you again later in your
pregnancy to make sure you still don’t have it. If you have gestational diabetes, you’ll need treatment as soon as possible to keep yourself and your baby healthy during your pregnancy and delivery. Your doctor will ask you to: Your doctor will keep track of your weight and your baby’s development. They might give you insulin or another medicine to keep your blood sugar under control. The American Diabetes Association recommends these targets for pregnant women who test their blood sugar: Take these simple steps to stay healthy: Eat a healthy, low-sugar diet. Talk to your doctor to be sure you’re getting the nutrition you need. Follow a meal plan made for someone with diabetes:What Is Gestational Diabetes?
Gestational Diabetes Symptoms
You may notice that:Gestational Diabetes Causes
Gestational Diabetes Risk Factors
Gestational Diabetes Tests and
Diagnosis
Gestational Diabetes Treatment
Target Blood Sugar Levels for Women During Pregnancy
Diet and Exercise for Gestational Diabetes
Exercise throughout your pregnancy. You
can exercise when you have gestational diabetes as long as your doctor says it’s OK. Being active is a good way to help manage your blood sugar. Staying fit during pregnancy is also good for your posture and can curb some common problems, like backaches and fatigue.
- Get active as soon as possible. Aim for 30 minutes of moderate activity most days of the week. Running, walking, swimming, and biking are good options.
- Was there a workout that you were doing before you found out you were pregnant? Do you have an activity that you love? Check with your doctor to see if you can keep it up, if you should make some changes, or if it's better to try something else.
- Exercise can lower your blood sugar. So when you work out, always have a form of quick sugar with you, such as glucose tablets or hard candy.
Get the right prenatal care: Not only can your doctor screen you for this condition; they can offer advice on food, activity, and weight loss. They can also point you to other health professionals, like nutritionists, that can help.
If you have morning sickness, eat small snacks. Nibble on crackers, cereal, or pretzels before you get out of bed. As you go through your day, have small meals often and avoid fatty, fried, and greasy foods.
If you take insulin, make sure you've got a plan to deal with low blood sugar. Throwing up can make your glucose level drop. Talk to your doctor if you're not sure what to do.
Gestational Diabetes Prevention
You can lower your risk before you get pregnant by:
- Eating a healthy diet
- Staying active
- Losing extra weight
Your baby will probably be healthy, if you and your doctor manage your blood sugar
while you have gestational diabetes. Right after you give birth, doctors will check your newborn's blood sugar level. If it’s low, they may need to get glucose through an IV until it comes back up to normal. Gestational diabetes raises the chance that you will have a baby who is larger than normal. It's also linked to jaundice, in which the skin looks yellowish. Jaundice generally fades quickly with treatment.Will Gestational Diabetes Affect My Baby?
Although your child will be more likely than other kids to get type 2 diabetes later on, a healthy lifestyle (including a good diet and lots of physical activity) can cut that risk.
Will I Get Type 2 Diabetes?
Because you had gestational diabetes, you have a greater chance of having type 2 diabetes. But it won’t definitely happen, and you can take action to prevent that.
Your blood sugar levels will likely return to normal about 6 weeks after childbirth. (Your doctor will check on that.) If it does, you should get follow-up tests every 3 years.
To lower your risk:
- Try to keep your weight in a healthy range. Not sure what that is? Ask your doctor.
- Eat a good diet that includes lots of vegetables, whole grains, fruits, and lean protein.
- Make exercise a habit.
If you plan to have another baby, keep in mind that you are more likely to get gestational diabetes again. Ask your doctor if there are any lifestyle changes that would help you avoid that.