Gestational Diabetes

Gestational diabetes is a form of diabetes that occurs during pregnancy and goes away as the baby is born. Between 5-8% of pregnant women will develop gestational diabetes and this usually occurs around the 24th to 28th week of pregnancy.

The Cause

During pregnancy, a degree of insulin resistance (where the insulin is not effective) occurs, to keep blood glucose levels in the non diabetes range, mothers need to make two-three times more insulin than normal. Some mothers develop more insulin resistance than others and cannot make enough effective insulin. In this situation blood glucose levels become too high and gestational diabetes develops.

• Mothers over the age of 30
• Women with a family history of type 2 diabetes
• Women who are overweight
• Indigenous Australians
• Women of South Asian, Vietnamese, Chinese, Middle Eastern or Polynesian/Melanesian descent
• Women who have had gestational diabetes, large babies or obstetric complications during previous pregnancies
• Undiagnosed diabetes without any symptoms before the pregnancy.

The Impact

Gestational diabetes will not lead to your baby being born with the diabetes.

In gestational diabetes, excess glucose passes through the placenta to the baby. This may lead to the baby growing larger than average. At birth, there is also the risk the baby's blood glucose levels may be too low.  Baby may also have suckling and some breathing problems.

Gestational diabetes can also lead to high blood pressure during pregnancy.

Management

If you have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes, it is important to work closely with your doctor or health care team to keep your blood glucose levels in your target range. Key management techniques include enjoying a healthy eating pattern that is low in fat (especially saturated fat), high in fibre and incorporating some low GI foods with each meal and being physically active.   This is not only for when you are pregnant, but will also reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the future, and reduce the risk for rest of the family.

Your doctor should ask you to monitor your own blood glucose levels (self blood glucose monitoring) using a blood glucose meter, and in some cases, prescribe medication.

After Baby is Born

After the baby is born, insulin requirements fall and the diabetes disappears unless it was coincidental that either type 1 or type 2 diabetes developed during the pregnancy. It is, extremely important to be tested 6-8 weeks after the baby is born to check if the diabetes has disappeared. Women who have had gestational diabetes are 50% more likely to develop type 2 diabetes later in life. Repeat testing should be performed every 1-2 years, for more information click here.

• 'Gestational Diabetes- Caring for Yourself and Your Baby' 
• Gestational Diabetes- Fact sheet
• 'Life After Gestational Diabetes.'