Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that occurs during pregnancy and develops when the pancreas is unable to make enough insulin to cover your needs.
Will Gestational Diabetes Harm My Baby or Me?
If gestational diabetes isn’t carefully managed, it could cause issues for you and your baby, including:
- Risk of high blood pressure and preeclampsia, a serious condition during pregnancy that can threaten the life of both mother and child.
- Excessive birth weight that may cause a baby to become lodged in the birth canal. This could result in injury to the baby during birth or require a cesarean section.
- Preterm birth and respiratory distress syndrome, a condition that may require breathing assistance. Babies of mothers with gestational diabetes may have respiratory problems even if they aren’t born early.
- Low blood sugar after birth that may cause seizures.
- Developing Type 2 diabetes later in life. Both mother and baby are at higher risk.
Read More: What Is a High Risk Pregnancy?
How Is Gestational Diabetes Diagnosed?
It can be hard to detect because there are usually no symptoms. Most health care providers screen all pregnant women between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy. If you are diagnosed with gestational diabetes, your doctor will refer you for diabetes self-management education.
Clinicians at the LifeFit Diabetes Care Center can work with you to create an individualized care plan that promotes the health of you and your baby, says LifeFit diabetes educator Jenny Craft.
“Although gestational diabetes is not the best of news during pregnancy, it’s a chance to boost your nutritional health while giving your baby the best start in life,” Craft says. “Our registered dietitians and certified diabetes educators can help you find a convenient and healthy approach to eating throughout your entire pregnancy — healthy habits we hope that will last for a lifetime!”
Gestational diabetes usually goes away after delivery, but the knowledge you will receive from completing self-management education will be extremely valuable in prevention of Type 2 diabetes later in life. Our staff of registered dietitians and certified diabetes educators is available to answer questions and provide more information at any time during your pregnancy or immediately after you give birth. We provide education sessions and support at both our Beaufort and Bluffton locations.
Am I at Risk to Develop Gestational Diabetes?
Although any woman can develop gestational diabetes, some are at higher risk. Your risk of developing gestational diabetes is higher if you:
- Are 25 years old or older
- Have prediabetes or have a close family member (parent, sibling) with Type 2 diabetes
- Had gestational diabetes during a previous pregnancy, delivered a baby who weighed more than 9 pounds or had an unexplained stillbirth
- Are significantly overweight with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher
- Are of black, Hispanic, American Indian or Asian descent
Read More: Rules of the Road Along Your Pregnancy Journey
How Can I Prevent Gestational Diabetes?
- Eat a heart-healthy diet that includes a variety of fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
- Stay active, aiming for 30 minutes of moderate activity, like walking, cycling or swimming, on most days.
- Lose excess weight before you get pregnant.
Our dietitians and wellness coaches can support your efforts in preparing for and maintaining a healthy pregnancy. Call 843-522-5635 for information on nutrition counseling or personal training.