Gestational Diabetes
What is Gestational Diabetes?
Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that develops during pregnancy. It happens when your body cannot make enough insulin to handle the extra glucose, or blood sugar, needed during pregnancy. This condition typically appears around the 24th to 28th week of pregnancy.
Your placenta makes hormones that help your baby grow and develop. However, these hormones can also block the action of insulin in your body. This is called insulin resistance. When your cells cannot use insulin properly, glucose builds up in your blood instead of being used for energy.
Most women with gestational diabetes have healthy pregnancies and healthy babies. The condition usually goes away after delivery. However, having gestational diabetes increases your risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life. It also means you may develop gestational diabetes again in future pregnancies.
Symptoms
- Increased thirst and drinking more fluids than usual
- Frequent urination, especially at night
- Extreme fatigue beyond typical pregnancy tiredness
- Blurred vision that comes and goes
- Nausea that appears later in pregnancy
- Frequent bladder, vaginal, or skin infections
- Sugar detected in routine urine tests
Many women with gestational diabetes have no obvious symptoms. The condition often develops gradually, and its signs can be mistaken for normal pregnancy changes. This is why routine screening during pregnancy is so important.
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Causes and risk factors
Gestational diabetes happens when pregnancy hormones make your body resistant to insulin. Your pancreas usually makes extra insulin to overcome this resistance. But sometimes it cannot keep up with the increased demand. Risk factors include being over age 25, having a body mass index above 30, having a family history of diabetes, and having polycystic ovary syndrome. Previous gestational diabetes or having delivered a baby weighing over 9 pounds also increases your risk.
Certain ethnic groups have higher rates of gestational diabetes. These include Hispanic, African American, Native American, Asian American, and Pacific Islander women. Lifestyle factors like physical inactivity and poor diet quality also contribute. Gaining excessive weight before or during pregnancy raises your risk as well.
How it's diagnosed
Most pregnant women are screened for gestational diabetes between weeks 24 and 28 of pregnancy. Your doctor will likely order a glucose challenge test first. You drink a sweet liquid, and your blood sugar is measured one hour later. If this test shows high glucose levels, you will take a glucose tolerance test to confirm the diagnosis.
Rite Aid offers blood testing that includes Hemoglobin A1C, which measures your average blood sugar over the past 2 to 3 months. Urine glucose testing is also part of routine prenatal screening. These tests help detect elevated blood sugar levels early. Regular monitoring throughout pregnancy helps ensure both you and your baby stay healthy.
Treatment options
- Monitor your blood sugar levels 4 to 5 times per day using a glucose meter
- Follow a balanced meal plan with controlled carbohydrate portions at each meal
- Eat more fiber-rich vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins
- Exercise for at least 30 minutes most days, with activities like walking or swimming
- Drink plenty of water and avoid sugary beverages
- Take insulin injections if diet and exercise do not control blood sugar levels
- Attend all prenatal appointments to monitor baby's growth and your health
- Track your weight gain to stay within recommended ranges for pregnancy
- Work with a registered dietitian who specializes in gestational diabetes
- Get regular blood tests to track how well your treatment plan is working
Concerned about Gestational Diabetes? Get tested at Rite Aid.
- Simple blood draw at your nearest lab
- Results in days, not weeks
- Share results with your doctor
Frequently asked questions
Most women with well-managed gestational diabetes have healthy babies. However, uncontrolled blood sugar can cause the baby to grow too large, leading to delivery complications. It may also increase the baby's risk of low blood sugar after birth. Close monitoring and treatment reduce these risks significantly.
Gestational diabetes usually disappears after you deliver your baby. Your blood sugar levels typically return to normal within a few days to weeks after birth. However, you should get tested 6 to 12 weeks postpartum to confirm your levels are normal. You will also need regular screening for type 2 diabetes going forward.
You cannot completely prevent gestational diabetes, but you can lower your risk. Start pregnancy at a healthy weight if possible, or lose weight before conceiving if needed. Stay physically active before and during pregnancy. Eat a balanced diet with limited processed foods and added sugars.
Limit foods high in refined carbohydrates and added sugars. These include white bread, sugary cereals, candy, soda, fruit juice, and desserts. Also watch portion sizes of starchy foods like pasta, rice, and potatoes. Instead, focus on vegetables, lean proteins, healthy fats, and whole grains in moderate amounts.
About 10 to 20 percent of women with gestational diabetes need insulin. Your doctor will prescribe insulin if diet and exercise do not keep your blood sugar in the target range. Insulin is safe during pregnancy and does not cross the placenta to affect your baby. Some women may use oral medications instead, depending on individual circumstances.
Most women check their blood sugar 4 to 5 times daily. You typically test once in the morning before eating, then after each meal. Your doctor will give you specific target ranges to stay within. Keeping a log of your readings helps your healthcare team adjust your treatment plan as needed.
Exercise is highly recommended for managing gestational diabetes. Physical activity helps your body use insulin better and lowers blood sugar naturally. Aim for 30 minutes of moderate activity most days, such as walking, swimming, or prenatal yoga. Always check with your doctor before starting a new exercise routine during pregnancy.
Women who have gestational diabetes have a 50 percent chance of developing type 2 diabetes within 5 to 10 years. Your risk is higher if you needed insulin during pregnancy or remain overweight after delivery. Maintaining a healthy weight, staying active, and eating well significantly reduce this risk.
High blood sugar can cause your baby to grow larger than normal, which may lead to early delivery or cesarean section. Your doctor will monitor your baby's size through ultrasounds. If your blood sugar is well controlled, you may be able to have a normal vaginal delivery at full term.
Yes, you should get a blood glucose test 6 to 12 weeks after delivery. This confirms whether your blood sugar has returned to normal. After that, get screened for diabetes every 1 to 3 years. Early detection of prediabetes or type 2 diabetes allows you to take action before complications develop.