What is Gestational Diabetes?

How is Gestational Diabetes Found?

How is Gestational Diabetes Treated?

What Can Happen to Me and Myy Baby if My Blood Sugar Levels Aren't Under Control?

Where Can I Get Help to Control My Blood Sugar Levels?

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What is Gestational Diabetes?

Gestational Diabetes (also known as GDM) is a type of diabetes that develops during pregnancy. For most women, it begins during the second trimester. Approximately 7% to 14% of all pregnant women develop gestational diabetes. This percentage is higher among certain ethnic groups such as African American, Asian American, East Indian, Latina/Hispanic and Native American.

The difference between this type of diabetes and the type that exists before pregnancy is that gestational diabetes is not likely to cause birth defects. In gestational diabetes, high blood sugar usually occurs after the first 8 weeks of pregnancy. It is high blood sugars in early pregnancy that most likely cause birth defects.

If you have gestational diabetes, your blood sugar is elevated because of the foods that you eat and pregnancy hormones. Normally, the body changes food into a sugar called glucose. Insulin, which is a hormone that the body produces, helps to turn glucose into energy. With diabetes, either the body does not make enough insulin or it is not able to use insulin appropriately. As a result, the blood sugar goes up too high.

How is Gestational Diabetes Found?

All pregnant women should be tested for GDM. This test is called a blood glucose screening. This screening test should be done around 24-28 weeks of pregnancy. There are no special preparations for this test. You can even eat before this test is done.

You will be given a cold sweet drink. Then, in one hour, blood will be drawn from your arm. A test result of 140 or less is normal. This means you do not have gestational diabetes. If your test result is greater than 140, your screening test is positive. You might have GDM. You will need another type of test. This test is called a 3-hour glucose tolerance test or OGTT (oral glucose tolerance test).

How is Gestational Diabetes Treated?

The treatment for gestational diabetes includes:

• choosing the right foods to eat

• gaining weight slowly

• exercise safely and regularly

• keeping your blood sugar levels normal

• testing and recording your blood sugar

A registered dietitian (RD) will help you create a meal plan that provides good nutrition and helps you control your blood sugar. The majority (80%) of women with gestational diabetes can control their blood sugar by diet alone. However, some need to inject insulin or take oral medication in order to maintain their blood sugar within normal limits.

What Can Happen to Me and My Baby if My Blood Sugar Levels Aren't Under Control?

Careful control of your blood sugar and weight gain during pregnancy can help you avoid the following complications for yourself:

• difficult delivery

• high blood pressure

• cesarean section (surgical delivery)

and for the baby:

• macrosomia (babies weighing more than 9 lb at birth)

• newborn hypoglycemia

• birth injury (such as broken collar bone)

• jaundice

• respiratory problems

• premature birth (birth before 36 weeks)

• stillbirth (baby dies before birth), if blood sugars are elevated frequently

Where Can I Get Help to Control My Blood Sugar Levels?

You can find a Sweet Success Program near you.

You can get some free education material.

If you need more information or help, call the San Diego and Imperial Counties Sweet Success Program at 858 536-5090 or email us.