Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes brought on by pregnancy. If you’re at risk — and especially if you’ve been diagnosed — it’s important to understand how gestational diabetes can affect you and your baby. Show
Roughly 6% to 9% of people who are pregnant will develop gestational diabetes. With this condition, the pancreas does not produce enough insulin to control sugar levels in the blood. As co-directors of the Diabetes in Pregnancy Program at the University of Chicago Medicine, our goal is to help our patients deliver healthy babies, avoiding serious birth complications and long-term health challenges that can occur without proper care. Here, we answer some of the most common questions about gestational diabetes and how we can help you manage the health risks involved during and after pregnancy. What are the warning signs of gestational diabetes?You probably won’t know you have gestational diabetes because there usually aren’t noticeable symptoms. That’s why screening for gestational diabetes between your second to third trimester is so important. In some rare cases, patients with extremely high blood sugar may feel tired, thirsty and need to urinate more than usual. What causes gestational diabetes?Gestational diabetes is high blood sugar that first develops during pregnancy. When you're pregnant, hormonal changes make your body less effective at using insulin, which is the hormone produced by your pancreas that manages blood sugar levels. If your pancreas is unable to adjust and produce more insulin to control your blood sugar, you have gestational diabetes. Obesity, high blood pressure, prediabetes and a family history of diabetes increase your chance of developing gestational diabetes; so does being African American, Latinx, Native American, Asian American and Pacific Islander. How can diabetes affect my baby’s health?The health risks depend on the type of diabetes, how well blood sugars are controlled and the stage of your pregnancy. During your first trimester, poorly-controlled type 1 or type 2 diabetes puts your baby at increased risk for birth defects, including heart, brain and spine malformations. Later in pregnancy, diabetes can lead to your baby being too large for a safe vaginal delivery, being born prematurely and having severe problems from being born early. It can also cause your baby to be born with low blood sugar and be at increased risk for obesity and Type 2 diabetes later in life. Still, it’s important to remember that patients with gestational diabetes can have healthy babies – and the better diabetes is controlled throughout your pregnancy, the greater the likelihood you’ll have a healthy baby. Can eating too much sugar cause gestational diabetes?This is a common misunderstanding about gestational diabetes. Eating sugary foods, like candies or soda drinks, doesn’t increase your risk for developing gestational diabetes. However, eating too much sugar does cause weight gain, and obesity increases your chance of developing gestational diabetes. Can gestational diabetes be prevented?You can reduce your chance of developing gestational diabetes by:
Following a regular exercise schedule will also reduce your risk. (Talk to your doctor if you’re not sure about which exercise regimen would be best for you.) How can I get rid of gestational diabetes?You can’t get rid of gestational diabetes during pregnancy, so the best way to lessen its effects is to work closely with your doctor and stick to your treatment plan. Controlling gestational diabetes depends on:
Follow the recommended weight gain set out by your doctor. This varies, but generally, the higher your weight is before pregnancy, the less weight you should gain during pregnancy. Gestational diabetes that can’t be managed through diet and exercise alone requires medications, such as insulin. The good news is that gestational diabetes often goes away after giving birth. If I have gestational diabetes, will I have to deliver early?Possibly, but the more your diabetes is controlled, the less your chances are of delivering early. Does having gestational diabetes mean I'll have to give birth by C-section?Poorly controlled gestational diabetes can cause babies to grow too big and have trouble passing through the birth canal safely. If this happens, your doctor may recommend medical interventions, like delivering via C-section, to avoid injuries during birth. What kind of diabetes care do I need after I’ve had my baby?Again, for many patients, gestational diabetes resolves shortly after childbirth. But if it doesn’t, it’s considered to be pre-diabetes or Type 2 diabetes. To determine the status of diabetes and whether you need medication to control it, your doctor will check your blood sugar after you give birth and again six to eight weeks later. Don’t postpone this follow-up care for your own health, even if you’re busy taking care of a new baby. Managing your diabetes well today can prevent long-term health problems in the future, including cardiovascular, nerve and eye damage. Does having gestational diabetes mean I’ll have diabetes later in life?Roughly half of patients who have gestational diabetes go on to develop Type 2 diabetes within 20 years. But you can reduce your risk of developing Type 2 by maintaining a healthy diet and weight. If you’re able to breastfeed, that can really help with after-pregnancy weight loss and may decrease your chance of type 2 diabetes later on. Your body also needs at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise every week. Granted, it’s not always easy finding time to exercise, but this could be as simple as a quick 20-minute brisk walk every day. You should also have your blood sugar level tested annually. Can gestational diabetes go away during pregnancy?Gestational diabetes occurs in about 7 percent of all pregnancies. It usually arises in the second half of pregnancy and goes away as soon as the baby is born. However, if gestational diabetes is not treated, you may experience complications.
How can I lower my gestational diabetes naturally?Plenty of whole fruits and vegetables. Moderate amounts of lean proteins and healthy fats. Moderate amounts of whole grains, such as bread, cereal, pasta, and rice, plus starchy vegetables, such as corn and peas. Fewer foods that have a lot of sugar, such as soft drinks, fruit juices, and pastries.
How can I get rid of gestational diabetes?Treatment for Gestational Diabetes. Checking your blood sugar to make sure your levels stay in a healthy range.. Eating healthy food in the right amounts at the right times. Follow a healthy eating plan created by your doctor or dietitian.. Being active. ... . Monitoring your baby.. What happens if you have gestational diabetes while pregnant?Gestational diabetes raises your risk of high blood pressure, as well as preeclampsia — a serious complication of pregnancy that causes high blood pressure and other symptoms that can threaten both your life and your baby's life.
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Can you get rid of gestational diabetes while pregnant
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