Pregnancy brings about many changes in the body, but few of them are as confusing or unexpected as being told your blood sugar is higher than it should be. For many expectant mothers, hearing the words “gestational diabetes” can raise questions about their health and their baby’s well-being. Without clear information, the diagnosis can feel overwhelming.
Understanding what gestational diabetes is and how it’s managed can help make the condition less intimidating. This guide explains the basics, so patients know what it means, why it happens, and how healthcare practitioners help support a healthy pregnancy.
Understanding Gestational Diabetes
Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that is first diagnosed during pregnancy (a period often referred to as gestation). Like other forms of diabetes, it affects how the body uses glucose. When the body cannot regulate blood sugar effectively during pregnancy, glucose levels rise, leading to gestational diabetes. Elevated blood sugar can affect both the pregnancy and the developing baby, which is why timely screening and monitoring are important parts of prenatal care.
So, can you have a healthy baby with gestational diabetes? Yes. With appropriate monitoring and consistent guidance from healthcare practitioners, expectant mothers with gestational diabetes can experience healthy pregnancies and healthy births.
Who Is At Risk of Gestational Diabetes?
Several factors may be associated with a higher likelihood of developing gestational diabetes:
- A family history of type 2 diabetes
- Previous pregnancy with gestational diabetes
- Carrying excess weight before pregnancy
- Being older than age 25 at pregnancy
- Having delivered a baby weighing more than 9 pounds in a previous pregnancy
However, gestational diabetes can occur in anyone, even without these factors.
What Are the Symptoms?
Gestational diabetes often develops without obvious symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they may include:
- Increased thirst
- More frequent urination
- Fatigue
Because these symptoms can overlap with normal pregnancy changes, routine glucose screening remains the most reliable way to detect gestational diabetes.
How Is Gestational Diabetes Diagnosed?
Gestational diabetes testing usually takes place during the 24-28 week window of pregnancy. Individuals at a higher risk may be screened at an earlier stage. The standard screening steps include:
1. Glucose Challenge Test (GCT)
During this test, a sugary drink is consumed, and blood sugar levels are measured after one hour.
2. Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT)
If the first test suggests elevated glucose levels, a second test is performed. It involves fasting, drinking a glucose solution, and having blood sugar measured over several hours.
Your provider reviews the results and compares them to established glucose criteria to decide whether gestational diabetes is present.
What Are the Possible Complications?
People with gestational diabetes can have healthy pregnancies. However, consistently elevated blood sugar can be associated with certain pregnancy and delivery risks. These can include:
- Higher birth weight: When a baby is exposed to elevated glucose levels, they may grow larger than average, which can make delivery more challenging.
- Need for a cesarean delivery: A bigger baby or certain pregnancy conditions linked with gestational diabetes may increase the chance of a C-section delivery.
- Low blood sugar in the newborn shortly after birth: Babies can experience a temporary drop in blood sugar after delivery because their bodies adjust quickly to the change in glucose levels outside the womb.
- Elevated blood pressure during pregnancy: Some individuals with gestational diabetes may also develop higher blood pressure, which requires closer monitoring by the prenatal care team.
- Greater chance of developing type 2 diabetes later in life: While gestational diabetes usually goes away after birth, it can increase the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes in the future.
Understanding the condition allows individuals to work with their healthcare team to monitor blood sugar and support overall well-being throughout pregnancy.
How Is Gestational Diabetes Managed?
Management approaches vary and are determined by the prenatal care team. These may include:
- Monitoring Blood Sugar: Regular glucose checks help track how the body responds to pregnancy-related hormonal changes.
- Nutrition Awareness: Being mindful of balanced eating patterns supports steady blood sugar levels.
- Physical Activity: Staying active during pregnancy, when approved by a provider, can support healthy glucose regulation.
- Additional Support: Some individuals may need additional medical support depending on their blood sugar patterns.
At Hilltop Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, our endocrinologist works closely with patients’ obstetric teams to ensure they receive coordinated and consistent information throughout their pregnancy.
After Delivery: What Happens Next?
Gestational diabetes usually resolves after childbirth. Still, follow-up glucose testing is typically recommended because blood sugar levels may take time to return to pre-pregnancy patterns. Individuals who have had gestational diabetes also have a higher chance of developing gestational diabetes in future pregnancies and type 2 diabetes later in life. Regular checkups and long-term preventive care can help monitor overall metabolic health.
Can Gestational Diabetes Be Prevented?
There is no guaranteed way to prevent gestational diabetes, but some steps may be associated with a lower risk before or between pregnancies. These include staying active and maintaining balanced nutrition. However, gestational diabetes can still occur even when someone is doing everything right, which is why routine screening is essential.
Conclusion
Gestational diabetes is a common condition that develops during pregnancy when the body cannot regulate blood sugar effectively. While it may sound concerning, early detection, consistent monitoring, and clear communication with healthcare providers support positive outcomes for both parent and baby.
Hilltop Internal Medicine and Endocrinology is dedicated to helping expectant mothers understand endocrine-related conditions and feel informed throughout their pregnancy journey. Call us at (301) 567-9570 to book an appointment.
FAQs
Is gestational diabetes the same as type 1 or type 2 diabetes?
No. Gestational diabetes develops only during pregnancy and often resolves after delivery.
Will gestational diabetes harm the baby?
Most individuals with gestational diabetes deliver healthy babies. Monitoring and regular prenatal care help reduce potential risks.
Does having gestational diabetes mean insulin is required?
Not always. A prenatal provider determines the appropriate approach based on glucose levels and overall health needs.
Can gestational diabetes recur?
Yes, individuals who have had gestational diabetes are more likely to experience it in future pregnancies.
Can I have a healthy baby with gestational diabetes?
Yes, many people with gestational diabetes have healthy babies when the condition is monitored and managed with guidance from their healthcare team.
What foods should you avoid with gestational diabetes?
People with gestational diabetes are often advised to limit foods high in added sugar or refined carbohydrates, but specific dietary guidance should always come from a health practitioner.
