Gestational Diabetes

Gestational diabetes is the diabetic condition that occurs during pregnancy. Women who have diabetes before conception may have problems during the first 13 weeks of pregnancy. It is advised to have your diabetic condition under control for at least 2 or 3 months before trying to conceive.

Gestational diabetes occurs when the body does not produce enough insulin to deal with the higher levels of blood sugar during pregnancy. This is a temporary condition and will go away after childbirth unless you were diabetic before pregnancy.

Some women do experience gestational diabetes again with subsequent pregnancies and women who have had gestational diabetes have an increased risk in developing diabetes later in life.

Warning Signs:

  • Thirstier than usual
  • More frequent urination than usual
  • More fatigued than usual

How Doctors may detect Gestational Diabetes:

Doctors can test the urine for high levels of sugar. If the urine contains high levels of sugar, doctors may suspect gestational diabetes. Although high levels of sugar in your urine, could be a temporary and non-threatening occurrence. Normally gestational diabetes is tested for between 24-28 weeks of pregnancy. Most doctor's offices make you drink a very sweet, syrupy drink and then test your blood for sugar levels. This is called a glucose tolerance test. You will be tested before drinking the syrupy drink and then again afterwards to compare how your body handles sugar intake.

What Should I Do if I Have Gestational Diabetes?

  • Your diet should consist of a high carbohydrate diet, good amounts of fiber, moderate intake of protein, and low fat. (Check with Doctor).
  • You should not skip meals!
  • Try to exercise regularly to help the body regulate the sugar and give you more energy. (Please consult your Doctor).

I've Heard I'll have a Bigger Baby?

It is true that women who have gestational diabetes may have a larger baby. Doctors sometimes induce labor before 40 weeks because of the size factor. This is usually done around the 38th or 39th week of pregnancy. With the doctor monitoring your progress and the development of the fetus, you may deliver earlier or the doctor may feel you can go to full term.
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