Symptoms of high blood sugar while pregnant

Gestational diabetes does not usually cause any symptoms. Most women only find out that they have it when they are tested for the condition.

Gestational diabetes does not usually cause any symptoms. Most cases are only discovered when your blood sugar levels are tested during screening for gestational diabetes. Your midwife will talk to you about the risk factors for gestational diabetes at your booking appointment. They will organise a pregnancy diabetes test if they think you’re at risk.

"I wasn’t obviously skinny, but I wasn’t massively obese either… I had no symptoms whatsoever. I had no expectation that the test would be anything other than a formality."

Beth

Some women may develop symptoms if their blood glucose levels get high. These include:

• going to the toilet a lot, especially at night
• being really thirsty
• feeling more tired than usual
• losing weight without trying to
• general itching or thrush.

Some of these symptoms are common during pregnancy so may not be a sign of gestational diabetes. But it is best to find out as soon as possible. Tell your midwife or GP if you have any concerns.

Try to remember that if you are diagnosed with gestational diabetes, careful management can reduce the risk of any complications.

Read more about gestational diabetes

• Testing for gestational diabetes

  If you are at risk of developing gestational diabetes, you’ll usually be offered an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT).

  Testing for gestational diabetes

• What are the risks of gestational diabetes?

  Gestational diabetes can cause problems in pregnancy, but these risks can be reduced with careful management.

  What are the risks of gestational diabetes?

• What is gestational diabetes?

  Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that can develop during pregnancy. With management, most women will have healthy pregnancies and healthy babies.

  What is gestational diabetes?

• Causes of gestational diabetes

  We do not understand exactly why some women get gestational diabetes and others don't. But we do know that some factors increase the risk.

  Causes of gestational diabetes

• Treatment for gestational diabetes

  Gestational diabetes is treated by making changes to diet and exercise to manage glucose levels. If this doesn’t work, you may be given medication.

  Treatment for gestational diabetes

• Managing your weight with gestational diabetes

  Women who are overweight are at higher risk of developing gestational diabetes, although many women who develop it are not overweight at all.

  Managing your weight with gestational diabetes

• Injecting insulin

  If you’ve been prescribed insulin, you’ll need to give yourself this as an injection. You’ll be given an insulin pen.

  Injecting insulin

• Understanding the glycaemic index

  The glycaemic index is a measure of how quickly sugars are released into the bloodstream. Knowing what foods to avoid helps control gestational diabetes.

  Understanding the glycaemic index

• Meal ideas for gestational or type 1 or 2 diabetes in pregnancy

  Here are some suggested low glycaemic meal ideas that could help control your blood sugar levels if you have gestational diabetes.

  Meal ideas for gestational or type 1 or 2 diabetes in pregnancy

• Gestational diabetes and premature birth

  Diabetes is a condition in which there is an inability to control blood sugar levels and it leads to high amounts of sugar in the blood.

  Gestational diabetes and premature birth

• Monitoring your own glucose levels

  If you have gestational diabetes, measuring your own blood glucose levels will become something you do regularly.

  Monitoring your own glucose levels

• Gestational diabetes and your diet

  Eating well is an important part of managing gestational diabetes and staying healthy throughout your pregnancy.

  Gestational diabetes and your diet