Gestational Diabetes: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

Gestational diabetes is high blood sugar that reaches levels greater than or equal to 92 mg/dL during pregnancy. It is more likely to develop after the 24th week because pregnancy hormones can make the body more resistant to insulin.

This type of diabetes can appear during pregnancy in people who did not have diabetes before becoming pregnant. It often causes no symptoms, although some people may notice blurred vision and increased thirst.

Gestational diabetes should be treated with guidance from an obstetrician to help prevent complications for both the mother and the baby. These complications can include preterm birth, a baby that is large for gestational age, and neonatal respiratory distress syndrome.

Main symptoms

The main signs of gestational diabetes are:

• Increased appetite

• Dry mouth and excessive thirst

• Weight gain

• Frequent urination

• Blurry vision

• More frequent urinary tract infections (UTIs)

• Frequent vaginal yeast infections

• Excessive tiredness

These symptoms can also happen in a normal pregnancy, which is why blood sugar testing is important for diagnosis. Most cases of gestational diabetes do not cause clear signs or symptoms.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends routine screening for gestational diabetes at 24 to 28 weeks of pregnancy, and some patients may need earlier testing based on risk factors.

Confirming a diagnosis

The diagnosis of gestational diabetes is made by the obstetrician using blood tests that measure glucose levels.

Depending on the screening method used, the diagnosis may be confirmed with a 2-hour glucose tolerance test or, in the US, with a 3-hour glucose tolerance test after an abnormal screening result.

In general, gestational diabetes is confirmed when blood glucose levels are above the normal range for the test being used.

Yes. Here is a clean rewritten section that includes both the 2-hour and 3-hour tests in a US-friendly way while keeping the article easy to follow:

Gestational diabetes values

The blood glucose values considered diagnostic for gestational diabetes may vary depending on the test used.

2-hour glucose tolerance test

The following values are used for the 2-hour glucose tolerance test:

This test is usually done between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy.

3-hour glucose tolerance test

In the US, many providers use a 2-step approach. This includes an initial screening test followed by a 3-hour glucose tolerance test if the screening result is abnormal.

The values commonly used for the 3-hour glucose tolerance test are:

In general, gestational diabetes is diagnosed when 2 or more values are above the normal range.

Blood glucose calculator

To find out whether it may be gestational diabetes, enter your result in the calculator below:

The symptom test is only a guidance tool. It does not diagnose gestational diabetes and does not replace an appointment with an obstetrician or endocrinologist.

Possible causes

Gestational diabetes is caused by insulin resistance due to increased hormone production by the placenta or decreased insulin production by the pancreas.

This leads to a higher amount of sugar in the blood, which results in diabetes.

Risk factors

Some factors can increase the risk of developing gestational diabetes, such as:

• Family history of diabetes mellitus, especially in a mother or father

• History of gestational diabetes in a previous pregnancy

• Having had a baby weighing more than 4 kg (8 lb 13 oz)in a previous pregnancy

• Overweight or obesity, with a BMI above 25

• Prediabetes

• Not being physically active

• Low good cholesterol (HDL) or high triglycerides

• Polycystic ovary syndrome

Gestational diabetes can develop at any point in pregnancy. However, it is more commonly diagnosed during routine screening at 24 to 28 weeks and should be treated to help prevent complications for both the mother and the fetus.

Treatment options

Treatment for gestational diabetes should be guided by an OB-GYN or endocrinologist. The goal is to protect the health of both the mother and the baby and avoid complications.

The main treatments for gestational diabetes include:

1. Following a special diet

A gestational diabetes diet should be guided by a nutritionist, and foods with a low glycemic index are recommended, such as fruits with the skin on. It is also recommended to reduce the amount of sugar and simple carbohydrates in the diet.

Preference should be given to foods that contain complex carbohydrates, such as whole grains, meat, fish, nuts, milk and dairy products, and seeds.

2. Checking blood sugars

It is important to measure capillary blood glucose regularly while fasting and after meals, according to the treatment plan recommended by the doctor.

This helps both the pregnant person and the doctor monitor blood glucose levels and adjust treatment when needed.

3. Getting more exercise

Physical activity can help lower fasting blood sugar and blood sugar levels after meals. Although exercise is generally considered safe during pregnancy, pregnant people should take precautions before, during, and after exercise, such as eating appropriately and staying hydrated.

ACOG also advises stopping exercise and contacting a clinician if warning symptoms occur, such as vaginal bleeding, regular painful contractions, fluid leakage, dizziness, chest pain, muscle weakness affecting balance, or shortness of breath.

4. Taking medication

Medications for gestational diabetes may be recommended when blood glucose levels do not improve enough with diet and regular physical activity.

If medication is needed, insulin is usually the preferred treatment during pregnancy, although oral medication may be used in selected cases based on medical evaluation.

It is also important to check blood glucose at the times recommended by the doctor so treatment can be monitored and adjusted if needed.

Potential complications

Complications of gestational diabetes can affect the pregnant person or the fetus and may include:

These risks can be reduced with proper management. For this reason, people with gestational diabetes should receive appropriate prenatal follow-up.

Does gestational diabetes make a pregnancy high risk?

Gestational diabetes requires closer monitoring and may be considered a high-risk pregnancy because it can increase the risk of complications for both the mother and the fetus.

Prevention measures

Gestational diabetes cannot always be prevented because it is related to hormonal changes that normally happen during pregnancy. However, the risk of developing gestational diabetes may be lowered by:

• Being at an ideal weight before becoming pregnant

• Getting regular prenatal care

• Gaining weight slowly and gradually

• Eating a healthy diet

• Doing moderate exercise

Gestational diabetes is more common in pregnant people over age 25 and in those with risk factors for diabetes, such as obesity, but it can also develop in younger pregnant people or in those with a normal weight.

Does gestational diabetes go away?

Gestational diabetes usually goes away after childbirth. However, women who have had gestational diabetes have a higher long-term risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.

For this reason, it is important to continue healthy eating habits, regular physical activity, and medical follow-up after pregnancy.

Postpartum testing

After delivery, blood glucose may be checked before hospital discharge, depending on the clinical situation and local practice. Gestational diabetes usually improves after birth because pregnancy hormones fall quickly.

If medication was used during pregnancy, the doctor will decide whether it should be stopped or continued after delivery. This decision should take into account the mother’s glucose levels and breastfeeding plan.

A blood test to check for persistent diabetes or prediabetes should be done 4 to 12 weeks after delivery. If the result is normal, ACOG advises continued diabetes screening every 1 to 3 years because of the long-term risk of type 2 diabetes.