What is Gestational Diabetes and How to Manage It

During pregnancy, gestational diabetes you can develop among some women, even though you do not already have the condition. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that each year, 2% to 10% of pregnancies in the United States are affected by gestational diabetes.[1]

Just as with other types of diabetes, gestational diabetes affects how cells use sugar (glucose). When you are pregnant, your body makes more hormones and goes through other changes, including weight gain. The changes you experience can result in insulin resistance, which means your body’s cells use insulin less effectively.  Insulin is a hormone made by the pancreas that moves glucose, a simple type of carbohydrate, from the blood into your cells. Most of the cells in your body rely at least partly on glucose to function.

Predisposition to gestational diabetes

The CDC explains that all women have some insulin resistance during late pregnancy. However, even before they get pregnant, some women have insulin resistance. Because they start pregnancy with an increased need for insulin, they are more likely to develop gestational diabetes.[2]  Your medical history and other risk factors suggest your may develop gestational diabetes, but only a test can confirm if you have it. Symptoms are not noticeable, although you may experience increased thirst and more frequent urination.

Factors that affect the development of gestational diabetes include:

• Being overweight and/or gaining weight quickly during pregnancy
• Lack of physical activity
• Having prediabetes
• Family member has Type 2 diabetes
• Having gestational diabetes during a previous pregnancy
• Previously delivering a baby over 9 pounds
• Having polycystic ovary syndrome (many small sacs of fluid develop along the outer edge of the ovary)

Risks of gestational diabetes to babies

Gestational diabetes can increase your risk of developing high blood pressure during pregnancy and high blood sugar levels. If it not managed properly, it can increase the likelihood of needing surgery (C-section) to deliver. Other potential risks for the baby include:

• Being very large at birth, 9 pounds or more. This makes the delivery more difficult.
• Premature birth. High blood sugar can increase the chances of delivery before the baby’s due date. Being born early can cause breathing and other problems.
• Low blood sugar or hypoglycemia shortly after birth. Severe episodes of hypoglycemia may cause seizures in the baby.[3]
• Obesity and Type 2 diabetes later in life.

Prevent gestational diabetes

To prevent gestational diabetes, try losing weight if you are overweight before you get pregnant and engage in regular physical activity. CDC advises against trying to lose weight if you already are pregnant. Talk to your doctor about how much weight you should gain for a healthy pregnancy.[4]

If you develop gestational diabetes, manage it by:

• Checking your blood sugar to make sure it stays in a healthy range
• Following a healthy meal plan as prescribed by your medical team
• Staying active
• Monitoring your baby’s growth and development

Generally, blood sugar returns to its usual level after you deliver your baby. But gestational diabetes can put you at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes after, so test your blood more often for changes in blood sugar levels.

[1][1] “Gestational Diabetes,” CDC, Accessed April 20, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/gestational.html

[2] Ibid

[3] “Gestational diabetes,” Mayo Clinic, Accessed April 20, 2024. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gestational-diabetes/symptoms-causes/syc-20355339

[4] Gestational Diabetes,” CDC