Gestational Diabetes

Gestational diabetes is typically diagnosed between week 24 and 28 of pregnancy. At this time, expectant mothers should receive an oral glucose tolerance test. If a pregnant woman is diagnosed with gestational diabetes, she will have a follow up appointment at St. Luke's Diabetes Education.

The purpose of this appointment is to better understand how you can manage your blood glucose levels and keep them within normal limits. By keeping your blood glucose levels within healthy, normal limits, you can ensure your fetus is healthy.

Each person's levels are controlled differently depending on the severity. Some mothers will be able to control their levels through diet alone, while others may require medication or insulin therapy.

Risk factors

  • African or Hispanic ancestry
  • Being older than 25 when pregnant
  • Family history of diabetes
  • Giving birth to a previous baby that weighed more than nine pounds
  • Obesity
  • Recurrent infections

Symptoms

Usually there are mild to no symptoms for pregnant women. Some symptoms may include:

  • Blurred vision
  • Fatigue
  • Frequent infections, including those of the bladder, vagina and skin
  • Increased thirst
  • Increased urination
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Weight loss in spite of increased appetite

After pregnancy

High blood glucose levels often go back to normal after delivery. However, women with gestational diabetes should be watched closely after giving birth and at regular doctor's appointments to screen for signs of diabetes. It is common for women with gestational diabetes to develop diabetes later in life.

For more information on gestational diabetes or to speak with a diabetes educator, call 319/369-7440.