Gestational Diabetes is a form of diabetes that occurs during
pregnancy and usually goes away after the baby is born.
This common condition refers to a high blood glucose level recognized
for the first time during pregnancy. It develops towards the middle of
the pregnancy as a result of the changes in the mothers hormones.
If this condition is left untreated, it can cause complications for
the mother and the baby.
Who is at risk of developing gestational diabetes?
Women:
- over 30 years of age
- with a family history of Type 2 diabetes
- who are overweight
- from certain ethnic groups e.g. India, Asia, Pacific Islands,
Middle East
How is Gestational Diabetes diagnosed?
Diagnosis is made after a special test. A blood test is carried out
before and after a glucose drink is given. Usually, this test is
performed when you are about six months pregnant.
It is recommended that all pregnant women be tested for diabetes
between 26th and 28th week of pregnancy.
If you get gestational diabetes, it is best that you are cared for by
a doctor who specialises in looking after pregnant women with diabetes.
Treatment
The treatment is based on healthy eating and regular exercise such as
walking.
Guide for healthy eating:
- Eat a wide variety of food
- Eat regular meals and snacks such as, three moderately sized meals
and three small snacks spread evenly over the day
- Include carbohydrate foods (starch) in each meal and snack such
as, multigrain bread, cereals, legumes, pasta, rice, fruit and
vegetables
- Avoid foods and drinks containing large amounts of sugar
- Use low fat cooking methods and choose low fat products
- Drink plenty of water
A healthy eating plan will help you and your baby. Talking to a
person who specialises in healthy eating such as a Dietitian is
recommended. Ask your doctor to arrange this for you.
It is important that women check that their diabetes is well
controlled by doing blood tests at home each day. Your doctor or
diabetes nurse will teach you how to do these tests. Aim for a blood
glucose level below 7 mmol/l two hours after meals.
If healthy eating and regular exercise cannot control gestational
diabetes, insulin injections will be necessary for the rest of the
pregnancy. This is safe for you and your baby. Tablets for treating
diabetes are not used in pregnancy.
As long as there are no other problems, the pregnancy can continue
normally ending with a healthy baby.
How will Gestational Diabetes affect my baby?
If diabetes is not well looked after, it may cause problems such as a
large baby, which makes delivery more difficult. The baby may also have
low glucose levels for a short time after birth. If any problems occur,
the hospital will know how to care for you and your baby.
Will my baby be born with diabetes?
No your baby will not be born with diabetes. However, diabetes tends
to run in families, so your child may develop diabetes in adult life.
What happens after your baby is born?
After the baby is born, the diabetes usually disappears.
A special blood glucose test is performed 6 weeks after delivery to
ensure that blood glucose levels are back to normal. However, women who
have had gestational diabetes have an increased risk of developing type
2 diabetes later in life.
To help to prevent the onset of Type 2 diabetes, it is important to:
- continue healthy eating
- stay at a healthy weight
- exercise regularly
- have your blood glucose checked every 1-2 years.
For further information, speak to your doctor or
contact Diabetes Australia 1300 136 588.
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