Pregnancy causes many changes throughout the body, including changes in how your body processes sugar. For some women, these changes can lead to gestational diabetes, a common condition that develops during pregnancy. Fortunately, with proper monitoring and treatment, most women with go on to have healthy pregnancies and healthy babies.
What Is Gestational Diabetes?
Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that develops during pregnancy in women who did not previously have diabetes. It occurs when pregnancy hormones make it more difficult for the body to use insulin effectively, causing blood sugar levels to rise.
Because gestational diabetes often develops without noticeable symptoms, routine screening is an important part of prenatal care.
How do you test for gestational diabetes?
Most pregnant women are screened for gestational diabetes between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy.
The screening process typically begins with a glucose challenge test, which involves drinking a sweet beverage and having your blood sugar checked about an hour later. If the results are elevated, your provider may recommend a follow-up glucose tolerance test to confirm the diagnosis.
These simple tests help identify blood sugar issues early, allowing treatment to begin before complications develop.
What are the warning signs or symptoms?
One of the challenges of gestational diabetes is that many women experience no symptoms at all. That’s why routine testing is so important.
When symptoms do occur, they may include:
- Increased thirst
- Frequent urination
- Fatigue
- Blurred vision
- Increased hunger
However, many of these symptoms can also be normal during pregnancy, making screening the most reliable way to detect the condition.
Why Does Treatment Matter?
When gestational diabetes is left unmanaged, high blood sugar can affect both mother and baby. Babies may grow larger than expected, which can complicate delivery, while mothers may face an increased risk of high blood pressure and other pregnancy complications.
The good news is that proper treatment can significantly reduce these risks and support a healthier pregnancy.
How Is it Treated?
Treatment typically focuses on keeping blood sugar levels within a healthy range throughout pregnancy.
For many women, this begins with healthy lifestyle changes, including balanced nutrition, regular physical activity, and monitoring blood sugar levels at home. Your provider may recommend working with a dietitian to create a meal plan that supports both your health and your baby’s development. A diabetic educator will walk you through the process and give you tips on how to eat for leveling your blood sugar.
If blood sugar levels remain elevated despite lifestyle changes, medication or insulin may be prescribed to help achieve better control.
What Happens After Pregnancy?
In most cases, gestational diabetes goes away after delivery. However, having gestational diabetes increases your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes later in life.
Because of this, your provider will typically recommend follow-up testing after pregnancy and encourage ongoing health screenings in the years ahead.
The Importance of Prenatal Care
Gestational diabetes can sound overwhelming, but it is a manageable condition when identified early. Regular prenatal visits, routine screening, and following your provider’s recommendations can help keep both you and your baby healthy throughout pregnancy.
If you have questions about gestational diabetes or any other risk factors you may have, talk with your healthcare provider about the screening and treatment options available to you!
At Tanner Clinic we have OB/GYN providers and Diabetic Educators available to guide you through a diagnosis and help you understand and care for yourself!