Gestational Diabetes
Gestational diabetes is diabetes that develops during pregnancy. It is usually diagnosed with a blood test between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy. In the UK, around 16 in 100 women develop gestational diabetes. Women with gestational diabetes did not have diabetes before pregnancy, and it usually goes away after giving birth. However, if diabetes is diagnosed in the first trimester, it likely existed before pregnancy and will not go away after birth.
What Causes Gestational Diabetes?
During pregnancy, your body undergoes many changes. Hormones produced during this time can make it harder for the body to use insulin properly, increasing the risk of insulin resistance. Some women cannot produce enough insulin to overcome this, causing glucose (sugar) to remain in the blood and resulting in gestational diabetes.
Who Is at Risk of Gestational Diabetes?
At your first antenatal appointment, a healthcare professional should assess your risk and offer testing if you have any of the following:
- Overweight or obese
- Previous gestational diabetes
- Previous baby weighing 4.5kg / 10lb or more
- Family history of diabetes (parent or sibling)
- South Asian, Black or African Caribbean, or Middle Eastern background
Women can reduce their risk by managing weight, eating healthily, and staying active before pregnancy. Gestational diabetes increases the risk of recurrence in future pregnancies and the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes later in life, but lifestyle changes can help reduce these risks.
Signs of Gestational Diabetes
Many women with gestational diabetes have no noticeable symptoms. Some diabetes symptoms overlap with normal pregnancy changes, so most cases are diagnosed during routine screening using an Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) between 24 and 28 weeks. Women who have had gestational diabetes previously may be offered an OGTT early in pregnancy and again later if needed. Speak to your doctor if you are concerned about any symptoms.