What is gestational diabetes?
Gestational diabetes is high blood sugar that is first diagnosed during pregnancy. High blood sugar can cause problems for you and your baby. With treatment and lifestyle changes, you can manage your blood sugar and have a healthy baby. Blood sugar levels often go back to normal after you give birth.
What are the symptoms of gestational diabetes?
Gestational diabetes may not cause symptoms, so you need to be tested for it.
You could have another type of diabetes without knowing it. Common symptoms of high blood sugar include:
- Feeling very thirsty.
- Urinating more often than usual.
- Feeling very hungry.
- Having blurred vision.
It's common to urinate more often and feel more hungry during pregnancy. So having these symptoms doesn't always mean that you have gestational diabetes. But if you have these symptoms at any time during pregnancy, talk with your doctor. Your doctor can help you get tested for diabetes.
What tests are done during labor and delivery if you have gestational diabetes?
You and your baby will be monitored closely during labor and delivery.
- Your blood sugar will be checked regularly. If your level gets too high, you may be given small amounts of insulin through a vein (I.V.). If your level drops too low, you may be given I.V. fluid that contains glucose.
- Fetal heart monitoring will help your doctor know how your baby is doing during labor. If the baby is large or does not seem to be doing well, you may need to have a C-section to deliver your baby.
How is gestational diabetes treated?
Managing your blood sugar is the key to preventing problems during pregnancy, birth, and after your baby is born.
You may be able to do this with healthy eating and regular exercise. Keeping up with these healthy habits can help prevent gestational diabetes in a future pregnancy. It can also help prevent type 2 diabetes later in life.
You may need to check your blood sugar at home to see if it's staying in your target range. If it isn't, you may need to take diabetes medicine or give yourself insulin shots.
You'll have regular checkups with your doctor. The doctor will do tests to see how you and your baby are doing. You and your baby will be watched closely during labor and after delivery.
Managing gestational diabetes
There are ways you can manage gestational diabetes and have a healthy pregnancy. Try to eat healthy foods and stay active. Have regular checkups with your doctor. Ask how often to test your blood sugar at home. Your doctor may recommend medicine to help control your blood sugar.
Gestational diabetes: When to call
Call 911 anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if:
- You passed out (lost consciousness), or you suddenly become very sleepy or confused. (You may have very low blood sugar.)
- You have symptoms of high blood sugar, such as:
- Trouble staying awake or being woken up.
- Fast, deep breathing.
- Breath that smells fruity.
- Belly pain, not feeling hungry, and vomiting.
- Feeling confused.
Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:
- You are sick and cannot control your blood sugar.
- You have been vomiting or have had diarrhea for more than 6 hours.
- Your blood sugar stays higher than the level your doctor has set for you.
- You have symptoms of low blood sugar, such as:
- Sweating.
- Feeling nervous, shaky, and weak.
- Extreme hunger and slight nausea.
- Dizziness and headache.
- Blurred vision.
- Confusion.
Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor if:
- You have a hard time knowing when your blood sugar is low.
- You have trouble keeping your blood sugar in the target range.
- You often have problems controlling your blood sugar.
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