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Gestational Diabetes

What is gestational diabetes?

Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that occurs during pregnancy when the mother’s body is not able to make and use all the insulin it needs. This leads to a build up of glucose in the blood to high levels, known as hyperglycemia. This usually happens between 24th to the 28th week of pregnancy. It occurs in about 4% of all pregnant women in the United States.

Gestational diabetes usually goes away after the baby is born but there is a higher chance of occurrence in future pregnancies. Some women go on to develop type 2 diabetes later.

How does it affect your baby?

If gestational diabetes is untreated or poorly controlled, it can affect your baby in the following ways:

• “Fat” baby or macrosomia – difficulty in giving birth, may need a caesarian
• Newborn baby may have low blood glucose levels at birth
• At higher risk for breathing problems
• Jaundice may develop
• At risk for childhood obesity and type 2 diabetes in adulthood

Treating gestational diabetes

• Seek advice from your doctor, dietitian and nurse educator of your healthcare team
• Daily blood glucose monitoring
• Special meal plans
• Exercise
• Medication and insulin injection, if advised by your doctor

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Reference:

1. https://www.diabetes.org/gestational-diabetes.jsp.
   Gestational Diabetes Resource Guide - American Diabetes Association
2. Diabetes Totally Uncovered, 2002 edition. Changi General Hospital

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