Pregnancy is an exciting and overwhelming time in a woman’s life! But learning that you have or may have gestational diabetes can throw a wrench in an otherwise joyful experience. While developing gestational diabetes is certainly not ideal, it isn’t as scary as it seems. With timely testing and diligent health choices, gestational diabetes can be easily diagnosed and managed.

5 Questions (And Answers) About Gestational Diabetes

Here are some common questions that many women have about gestational diabetes:

1. What Is Gestational Diabetes?

Gestational diabetes (or GDM) occurs when a woman who doesn’t have diabetes before pregnancy develops elevated blood glucose levels (sugar) during pregnancy.^1,13 Gestational diabetes affects 5-9% of pregnancies in the United States each year.²

One of the most prevalent theories for the cause of GDM is that hormones from the placenta block the action of the mother’s insulin in her body. This is called insulin resistance, making it hard for the mother’s body to use insulin properly.³ Without enough insulin, glucose cannot leave the bloodstream and be used for energy. Blood glucose can then build up to dangerous levels, called hyperglycemia.⁴

You will typically be tested for gestational diabetes between weeks 24 and 28 of pregnancy.² There are two types of glucose tolerance tests: the glucose challenge test and the glucose tolerance test. With the glucose challenge test (or one-hour test), you drink a sugary drink and have your blood drawn an hour later.¹³ No fasting is necessary for the one-hour test.¹⁴ Alternatively, there’s the glucose tolerance test (a two- or three-hour test), where you fast, have your blood drawn, then drink the sugary drink, and have your blood drawn again one, two, and three hours later.¹³ Additionally, there are some less common and new alternative tests you can ask your doctor about.

2. How Do You Treat Gestational Diabetes?

Healthy eating habits and adequate exercise can usually regulate GDM during pregnancy.¹⁵ Your medical provider may require you to check your blood glucose levels several times throughout the day to ensure they stay within a normal range.¹⁶ However, there are some cases when you must control GDM with insulin shots.¹⁷

Most women’s blood sugar levels return to normal shortly after the pregnancy.^5,18 However, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), about ⅓ of women will have diabetes or a milder form of elevated blood sugar after giving birth. ACOG also says that between 15% and 70% of women who have GDM will develop diabetes later in life.⁶ These women will have to manage their blood sugar levels through lifestyle changes diet and exercise and sometimes medication.¹⁹

I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes in my first pregnancy. My midwife and I managed my blood sugar levels through a strict diet (I kept a daily food log). We checked my blood levels several times a day (also recorded in my log), and I exercised. Luckily, I never needed to take insulin shots to regulate my blood sugar levels, but if necessary, I would’ve done it in a heartbeat!

3. Will It Affect My Future Health or the Health of My Baby?

If left untreated, gestational diabetes can cause the following problems for your baby:^2,7,8

• Being born too early
• Low blood glucose right after birth (hypoglycemia)
• Breathing problems after birth
• An extra large baby (macrosomia)
• More likely to develop type 2 diabetes later in life
• More likely to become obese later in life

For mothers, untreated GDM can cause the following issues:^2,8

• High blood pressure (preeclampsia)
• Higher chance of a C-section
• Nerve damage
• Stillbirth or miscarriage
• Increased chance of developing type 2 diabetes later in life

4. Who’s at Risk for Developing Gestational Diabetes?

Anyone can develop gestational diabetes.¹³ However, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), you run a higher risk if you:^2,3,9,10

• Are overweight
• Have had gestational diabetes before
• Have a family history of diabetes, specifically type 2 diabetes
• Are of African-American, American-Indian, Asian-American, Hispanic/Latino-, or Pacific-Islander-American descent
• Have prediabetes
• Have a hormonal disorder called polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS

Interestingly, I have only one of these risk factors: my mother had gestational diabetes when pregnant with me. I developed GDM when I was pregnant with my first child but didn’t develop it with my second pregnancy. From what we could determine, I didn’t do anything differently with diet and exercise. My habits were already pretty good for my second pregnancy. We aren’t sure why I got gestational diabetes for one pregnancy and not the other.

5. Can I Do Anything To Avoid Gestational Diabetes?

Since doctors don’t really know what causes gestational diabetes, this question is harder to answer.¹¹ However, there are ways to try and prevent gestational diabetes with a diet. The CDC says that if you’re trying to get pregnant and are overweight, do everything you can to get to a healthier weight before you conceive.² Begin making healthy eating choices and start exercising for at least 30-38 minutes every day.²⁰ The Weston A. Price diet is a fantastic guideline for general healthy eating, especially during pregnancy and even more so if you have gestational diabetes.¹²

The Bottom Line

Even if you’re healthy and make all the right eating and exercise decisions, you may still develop GDM.¹³ I was one of those women, and I can tell you it was such a blow to my ego. Please don’t feel discouraged and afraid! It doesn’t mean you’ve done anything wrong, and gestational diabetes can be managed. Whatever you do, if you’re diagnosed with gestational diabetes, don’t let it steal the joy of your pregnancy. Remember, you only get to experience being pregnant for a short period — don’t let an easily manageable diagnosis distract you from the journey!