Gestational Diabetes

There are two main kinds of diabetes that can affect pregnancy:

• Gestational diabetes develops only during pregnancy.
• Pre-existing diabetes in pregnancy occurs when a woman already has type 1 or type 2 diabetes before becoming pregnant. 

Gestational diabetes often has no clear signs, which is why routine screening tests are very important. However, women may notice:

• Feeling more thirsty than usual
• Needing to urinate more often
• Feeling very tired
• Blurry vision

During pregnancy, the placenta produces hormones that help the baby grow. But these hormones block the effect of insulin, the hormone that regulates blood sugar. If your body cannot make enough insulin to keep up, your blood sugar goes up, leading to gestational diabetes.

You are more likely to develop it if you:

• Are overweight or obese before pregnancy
• Are over 35 years of age
• Have a family history of diabetes.
• Have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
• Had gestational diabetes in a previous pregnancy.

Doctors usually test for gestational diabetes between 24 to 28 weeks of pregnancy using a glucose screening test (OGTT). This involves drinking a sugary liquid; then, the blood sugar levels are measured after 1 and 2 hours.

Gestational diabetes is usually managed with the help of a team of health professionals, such as obstetrician, endocrinologist, dietician, and diabetes nurse. Treatment include:

• A healthy diet includes more fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, grains/cereals, and dairy while avoiding sugary and processed foods.
• Blood sugar checks involve monitoring your blood sugar regularly at home or in the clinic.
• Exercise, such as walking, jogging, swimming, or yoga help lower blood sugar levels safely during pregnancy.
• Medications or insulin may be prescribed by your doctor to manage the blood sugar levels if diet and exercise alone are not enough to control your blood sugar.
• Monitoring the baby (foetus) through regular check-ups and ultrasound scans ensures healthy growth.

You should see a doctor if:

• You have risk factors, such as being overweight or having a history of diabetes in the family
• You feel very thirsty, tired, or pass urine more often than usual
• Your sugar test results are abnormal
• You had gestational diabetes in an earlier pregnancy

Gestational diabetes cannot always be prevented, but the risk can be lowered by:

• Maintaining a healthy weight before and during pregnancy
• Eating a balanced diet
• Exercising regularly
• Attending regular health check-ups

Different specialists may be involved in managing gestational diabetes to ensure the best care for both mother and baby.

• A gynaecologist or obstetrician looks after your pregnancy and delivery.
• A diabetes specialist (endocrinologist) helps to manage your blood sugar.
• A dietician or nutritionist provides guidance on following a healthy meal plan.
• A diabetes nurse or educator teaches you how to check your sugar levels and use insulin if needed.