Gestational Diabetes

Gestational diabetes is high blood sugar that develops during pregnancy in a woman who did not have diabetes before, usually appearing in the second or third trimester. It requires careful management, as poorly controlled blood sugar can affect both mother and baby.

• Often no noticeable symptoms, which is why routine screening during pregnancy is important
• When symptoms do occur, they can include increased thirst, frequent urination, and fatigue
• Larger-than-expected baby size may be noted during antenatal check-ups as an indirect sign

• Results from hormonal changes during pregnancy that increase insulin resistance, unmasking a tendency toward high blood sugar in susceptible women.
• Risk is increased by obesity, older maternal age, a family history of diabetes, a previous large baby, and a personal history of gestational diabetes in a prior pregnancy.

• Diagnosed through routine screening during pregnancy, typically with a glucose tolerance test performed between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy, or earlier in women with significant risk factors.
• Blood glucose values above specific pregnancy-adjusted thresholds confirm the diagnosis.

Dietary changes — including controlled carbohydrate intake spread across regular meals — combined with regular physical activity form the first-line approach for most women.

Regular blood glucose monitoring helps track control and guide adjustments to diet or treatment.

Insulin is added if blood glucose remains above target despite dietary and lifestyle measures, and is safe to use throughout pregnancy.

Closer antenatal monitoring, including additional growth scans, is generally recommended, as gestational diabetes increases the risk of a larger baby and related delivery complications.

Blood sugar levels are rechecked after delivery, as gestational diabetes usually resolves after birth, though it increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.

• Attend all recommended antenatal screening, including glucose testing at the recommended time in pregnancy.
• Maintain a healthy diet and regular physical activity during pregnancy, particularly for women with risk factors.
• Follow blood glucose monitoring and treatment advice closely if diagnosed, to reduce risks to both mother and baby.
• Attend postpartum follow-up glucose testing and ongoing monitoring for future diabetes risk.