Gestational Diabetes
When you develop diabetes, or high blood sugar, during pregnancy, it is known as gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Some of the risk factors for developing GDM include being older than 25, a family history of diabetes, having already had a baby who weighed more than 9 pounds and being Hispanic or African-American.
You may not have any symptoms, but if you do they might be blurred vision, fatigue, have frequent infections or increased thirst and urination. You may also have nausea and vomiting or unexplained weight loss.
The goal of treatment is to keep your blood sugar at a healthy level and to make sure your fetus is healthy. See you doctor for regular prenatal visits during your pregnancy.
Recently Answered
- Q How big should my waist be to avoid gestational diabetes?
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Dr. Mehmet Oz, CardiologyI know it's growing now, but in pre- and post-pregnancy, make sure that your waist measurement at your belly button is not wider than half your height. So if you are 5'4" tall, or 64 inches, you should keep your waist size at or below 32-inches to... Full Answer
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- Q What is the "glucose challenge" test given to pregnant women?
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Dr. Mehmet Oz, CardiologyAs part of being screened for gestational diabetes, your doctor will give you a test called a glucose challenge, in which you'll consume 50 grams of sugar (it's why you get that cup of orange soda - an admittedly nasty concoction called glucola). If your... Full Answer
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- Q Does gestational diabetes lead to full-blown diabetes?
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Dr. Mehmet Oz, CardiologyAbout 25 percent of women with gestational diabetes will go on to develop full-blown diabetes and the greatest risk is within the first 5 years after delivery, especially in overweight mothers. Full Answer
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- Q What are warning signs of gestational diabetes?
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Dr. Mehmet Oz, CardiologyIt can be hard to tell from the surface whether you have gestational diabetes, so you should pay special attention if you have the risk factors or experience common symptoms, such as increased thirst and urination, blurred vision, fatigue, and/or... Full Answer
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- Q How can gestational diabetes lead to a larger baby?
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Dr. Mehmet Oz, CardiologyIf a pregnant woman has gestational diabetes, the mom's excess sugar freely passes through the placenta to the fetus. In response to this excess sugar in his blood, the fetus must increase production of its own insulin. This insulin increase acts like a... Full Answer
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- Q When does gestational diabetes develop?
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Gestational diabetes usually develops during the second trimester of pregnancy. Therefore it is recommended that all pregnant women receive a glucose tolerance test between the 24th and 28th week of pregnancy to screen for the condition. Women who have... Full Answer
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- Q Is gestational diabetes serious?
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If left untreated, gestational diabetes can cause serious complications for you and your baby. If you develop gestational diabetes, it means that your blood glucose levels are too high. Elevated blood glucose levels during pregnancy can lead to high... Full Answer
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- Q Are there general diet guidelines for someone with gestational diabetes?
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Laura Russell, Nutrition & DieteticsThe good news with gestational diabetes is that any food can fit- it is all about portion size and the composition of the meal (what else are you having as part of the meal). The only food I strongly discourage women from with gestational diabetes is... Full Answer
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- Q Will my baby develop diabetes if I have gestational diabetes?
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Gestational diabetes doesn't cause diabetes in babies. However, babies of mothers with gestational diabetes have a higher chance of being very overweight and getting diabetes when they reach their teen years or early adulthood. Full Answer
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- Q Can gestational diabetes increase my risk for type 2 diabetes?
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Gestational diabetes usually goes away after pregnancy. But once you've had gestational diabetes, your chances are two in three that it will return in future pregnancies. In a few women, however, pregnancy uncovers type 1 or type 2 diabetes. It... Full Answer
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