What triggers gestational diabetes?

Gestational diabetes is caused by hormonal changes and the way our bodies convert food into energy.

A hormone called insulin breaks down glucose (sugar) in food and delivers it to cells. Insulin keeps glucose levels in the blood at healthy levels. However, when insulin doesn’t work properly or isn’t produced enough, blood sugar builds up in the blood, leading to diabetes.

During pregnancy, hormones can interfere with the action of insulin. It can prevent blood sugar from regulating properly and lead to gestational diabetes. Genes and obesity (BMI greater than 25) may also play a role.

How is gestational diabetes diagnosed?

Your doctor will test your blood sugar levels during pregnancy. The test consists of two parts:

• Glucose Challenge Test: Drink a sweet liquid. About an hour later, blood tests are done to check blood sugar levels. If your blood sugar is high, your doctor will do a glucose tolerance test.
• Glucose Tolerance Test: An oral glucose tolerance test is only done if the challenge test results are abnormal. Fast (no food for 8 hours) prior to tolerance testing. Your healthcare provider will draw blood before you drink the sweetened liquid and at intervals of 1, 2, and 3 hours after you drink it. A tolerance test can confirm a diagnosis of gestational diabetes.

Why is it vital to treat gestational diabetes?

Gestational diabetes can cause issues for you as well as the fetus if it is not addressed.

Gestational diabetes increases risk of:

• Caesarean birth (C-section) if the fetus gets too big
• Pre-eclampsia (high blood pressure experienced during pregnancy)
• Type 2 diabetes

How gestational diabetes can be managed

If you have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes, you may need more frequent tests during your pregnancy. Your doctor will check your blood sugar regularly. You may need to monitor your blood sugar at home using a blood glucose meter.

Some people need medications such as insulin to treat gestational diabetes. However, most people can control their blood sugar levels only through diet changes and exercise. If you need insulin to control your diabetes, it is important that you take it as directed.

What can be done to prevent gestational diabetes?

Although it cannot be completely prevented, there are steps you can take to reduce the risk. A balanced diet and regular exercise before and during pregnancy are the best ways to reduce your risk of developing gestational diabetes.

Will gestational diabetes go away after pregnancy?

After giving birth, your blood sugar should drop as your hormone levels return to normal. However, about 50% of women with gestational diabetes later develop type 2 diabetes. Diet and exercise can assist in reducing your risk. Your doctor may recommend that you have a blood sugar test every 6 to 12 weeks after pregnancy to monitor your diabetes.