Gestational Diabetes

Gestational diabetes may develop during pregnancy, but it doesn’t have to take away from having a healthy experience – and a healthy baby. Virtua experts can help you manage your condition through diet and exercise changes and additional monitoring.

Gestational Diabetes Causes and Symptoms

What causes gestational diabetes?

Gestational diabetes can occur when pregnancy hormones prevent insulin from acting effectively in your body, causing increased blood sugar (glucose) levels in your blood.

This extra glucose causes your baby to get more energy than needed to grow. That extra energy is stored as fat, which makes your baby bigger. Having a larger baby can put you at risk for preterm birth or cesarean delivery.

Risk factors for developing gestational diabetes

The following factors can put you at higher risk for developing gestational diabetes:

• Being age 25 or older
• Having a body mass index of 25 or higher at the beginning of your pregnancy
• Having a personal history of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
• Previously giving birth to a baby weighing more than 9 pounds
• Having a family history of gestational diabetes

What are the symptoms of gestational diabetes?

It’s important to know that you can have gestational diabetes and not experience any symptoms.

If anything, you might notice mild symptoms that could include:

• Blurred vision
• Fatigue
• Vaginal infections
• Increased thirst
• Frequent urination
• Nausea

Gestational Diabetes Diagnosis at Virtua

Your OB provider will prescribe a glucose tolerance screening between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy to test you for gestational diabetes.

If you have known risks at the beginning of your pregnancy, you may be tested earlier to avoid complications.

If you’re diagnosed with gestational diabetes, your sugar levels will be checked frequently to monitor your baby’s health and development. Your provider may suggest you check your blood sugar levels at home with a blood glucose monitor and test strips.

Gestational Diabetes Treatment at Virtua

Keeping your blood sugar levels in a normal range is one of the goals of gestational diabetes treatment.

You can help control your blood sugar level by making nutritious food choices and reducing your intake of sweets such as candy, juices, soda, and other high-sugar foods.

These recommendations can help you maintain your blood sugar:

• Eat three meals and two healthy snacks daily to avoid hunger.
• Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables during the day for extra vitamin C and folic acid.
• Choose whole-grain bread, cereals, pasta, brown rice, or quinoa.
• Balance each meal and snack with protein such as an egg, low-fat cheese, milk, yogurt, beans, nuts or nut butters, lean meats, poultry, or fish.
• Instead of sugary beverages, drink water or other zero-calorie beverages.
• Talk to your OB about exercise options, but plan to get 30 minutes of activity daily with pregnancy-friendly options, such as walking, yoga, or Pilates.

If diet and exercise aren’t sufficient in lowering your blood sugar levels, your physician may prescribe medication or insulin therapy.

Your provider may also prescribe ultrasounds and non-stress tests to monitor the health and size of your baby.

What to expect at delivery if you have gestational diabetes

If you have gestational diabetes, you’ll likely have a larger baby, which can lead to increased problems during delivery. Often, a C-section is needed to prevent complications during birth.

In addition, your baby is more likely to experience hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, a few days after birth. However, managing your diet and blood sugar throughout your pregnancy reduces these risks.