Gestational Diabetes

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Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) can develop during pregnancy when hormones change the way your body uses insulin. Normally, insulin helps your body to control the level of glucose (sugar) in your blood. If your body cannot produce enough insulin, your blood glucose levels will rise and you may also have glucose in your urine when you check it at prenatal visits. If you have too much glucose in your blood over a prolonged period, it can cause problems for you and your baby during both the pregnancy and birth. Your baby could grow bigger than your body can handle, making the birth more difficult for you and your baby. Babies born to pregnant individuals with GDM often have low blood sugar after birth, and need to be monitored more closely.

Pregnant individuals who are diagnosed with GDM are at higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes in their future. Symptoms for GDM may include increased thirst, urination and hunger along with blurred vision. However, if you are having any of these symptoms it does not mean you have diabetes. Speak with your healthcare provider if you have any of these symptoms so that you can decide together whether you should be tested for GDM. Your health care provider may offer you a glucose tolerance test between 24-28 weeks of pregnancy. This test involves fasting, taking a blood sample, drinking a high glucose (sugary) drink, and then having a blood sample taken again to assess your body's ability to handle glucose. The result of this test helps to diagnose GDM.

For more information about risk factors for gestational diabetes, screening processes, management, and clinical practice guidelines, please see the links below.