Another common pregnancy-related condition is gestational diabetes. Let’s explore together what gestational diabetes is, how to identify it, and how to manage it if it develops during your pregnancy.
What is gestational diabetes?
Gestational diabetes occurs when you have high blood sugar during pregnancy. This happens because your body can’t produce enough insulin to meet the increased demands of pregnancy. Although this condition typically resolves after giving birth, untreated gestational diabetes can pose serious risks. Women with gestational diabetes are at a higher risk of experiencing the following:
- Giving birth to a larger baby (which might require a C-section or induced labour).
- Premature birth (before 37 weeks).
- Pre-eclampsia (a pregnancy complication characterized by high blood pressure).
- Excess amniotic fluid in the womb (polyhydramnios).
- Newborn jaundice or low blood sugar.
Who is at risk of developing gestational diabetes and how is it diagnosed?
Gestational diabetes can affect any pregnant woman, but certain factors increase the risk. Your susceptibility to this condition is assessed based on the following factors, which will be evaluated by your midwife during your initial antenatal appointment between weeks 8 and 12:
- Family history of diabetes.
- Previous history of gestational diabetes.
- Ethnic background (South Asian, Black, African-Caribbean, or Middle Eastern origin).
- Previous delivery of a baby weighing over 4.5 kg (10 lbs).
- BMI over 30. Unsure of your BMI? Calculate it using our Body Mass Index Calculator.
If you have one or more of these risk factors, you will be offered an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) between weeks 24 and 28 of pregnancy. This test involves a fasting blood test in the morning, followed by the consumption of a glucose drink. Your blood will be tested again after two hours to check your glucose levels. If you had gestational diabetes in a previous pregnancy, an additional screening will be offered earlier.
What are the symptoms?
Gestational diabetes typically doesn’t come with noticeable symptoms. It’s crucial to communicate your risk factors to your midwife. Blood tests are used to diagnose this condition. If your blood sugar levels become elevated, you might experience:
- Increased thirst and dry mouth.
- Frequent urination.
- Fatigue.
Can gestational diabetes be treated and how?
Maintaining healthy blood sugar levels is vital, especially if you have gestational diabetes. You can achieve this through diet and exercise. If your blood sugar levels remain high, medication might be necessary. You’ll be given a blood sugar testing kit to monitor your levels.
Women with gestational diabetes are advised to give birth before 41 weeks. If labour doesn’t occur naturally by then, induction or a C-section might be recommended to prevent complications for you and your baby.
