During pregnancy, the placenta produces a range of hormones which assist your baby to develop and grow, however these hormones also restrict the productivity of your insulin levels. This results in your body becoming insulin resistant and as your insulin needs are up to 2 to 3 times higher than when you are not pregnant, if your body is unable to cope with the increased demand for insulin production, you will develop Gestational Diabetes.
Gestational Diabetes is diagnosed when a woman has a higher than normal blood glucose level during her pregnancy. For between 3 – 8% of women, they will be develop and be diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes between weeks 24 – 28 of their pregnancy, however it in a very few cases it may be diagnosed earlier.
Who is at risk?
The following groups of woman are at a higher risk of developing Gestational Diabetes during their pregnancy:
- Women over 30 years of age
- Those with a family history of Type 2 Diabetes
- Women who are overweight
- Women who have been diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes in previous pregnancies.
- Women from a Vietnamese, Chinese, Middle Eastern, Polynesian, Indigenous Australian or Torres Strait Islander background.
How is Gestational Diabetes Diagnosed?
For most women, they will undergo a Glucose Challenge Test during the 24th – 28th week of their pregnancy. This test requires a woman to have a glucose drink and undergo a blood test measuring her blood glucose level one hour later. If the results of this test are abnormal, an Oral Glucose Tolerance Test is then needed. In this test, a blood sample is taken before the glucose drink and then again two hours after the drink.
How is Gestational Diabetes Treated?
For the majority of women, Gestational Diabetes can be managed through healthy eating, regular physical activity and the monitoring of your blood glucose levels.
Can Gestational Diabetes impact my baby?
In the majority of cases, a Mum who has been diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes will go on to deliver a happy and healthy baby. However in instance where blood glucose levels remain high, problems may occur as the likelihood of you having a high birth weight baby increases and this can lead to complications during birth and delivery or even premature birth.
What happens after birth?
For most women, their blood glucose levels will return to their normal levels after the birth of their child, however there is an increased risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes in the future for both Mum and baby.
If you have any questions or concerns about Gestational Diabetes or any other health condition during your pregnancy, please speak with your Doctor or Health Professional.
Disclaimer: The content on this website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this Website.
I had it with my 1st two pregnancies but not the third. I controlled mine with diet alone….my 1st 2 bubs were 6lb and the 3rd was 5lb
Yes with all three first child dietitian diet and the second two had to be insulin controlled.
Had it all three times with insulin requiring to. Didnt have big babies either
I had it with my 3rd… couldn’t control it with diet changes so had to have insulin. ð Bub was only 8lb 15oz. ð
Well. I was diet controlled. I did brillant and gave birth to a 3kg baby.
Had it with first and third bubs both were just over 9lbs , diet controlled
Had it with my 1st. Diet controlled baby was 3.6kg the next 2 pregnancies i made sure i lost all the baby weight and SOME so that it wouldn’t happen and diet controlled even after NOT having Gestational Diabetes ð and they came out 3.3kg and 3.7kg. Woo hoo ð all vaginal births.
I didn’t have it with any of my 4 pregnancies but still had huge babies (8lb, 10lb 14oz, 9lb 6oz, 8lb 13oz)
Yes my I got it with both of my boys which were babies 1 & 3. #1 i was put on insulin straight away and baby was born at 36 weeks because he wasn’t growing via emergency c section and was born weighing 5lb 4oz baby and spent 2wks in NICU until he gained enough weight #3 I was insulin again and born at 38wks via c section weighing 7lb 4oz he spent 24hrs in NICU because his blood sugat levels were 1.6 at birth. I do my 6 monthly GTT to monitor my levels and still have not been diagnosed with diabetes 🙂
Yes
With help from hospital and food diet
Amanda Aj Owens some good info here for u x
Diet controlled with my 3rd. i was induced at 39wks as they thought he would be big, but he was a perfect 3kgs and fine.
Yes. Just went thru it with my 2nd bub.
Diet control and exercise kept my post meal levels under control but it didn’t work for my fasting one first thing in the morning, so for the last 4 or so weeks I was on insulin only at night time (6units controlled it) mi hated the finger prices but the insulin needle really was less painful, could barely feel it!
I ended up losing weight and after I had bub I was 9.5kg lighter than when I fell pregnant.
I was due to be induced 2 weeks early than my due date but ended up going into labour 4 days before my induction date. Baby was 2.9kg (6lb9oz)
My 35 week growth scan showed bigger baby but it was wrong, she was still small.
Developed with my 4th baby who was born on Monday. Had to be on insulin with all meals and before bed and towards the end the dosages kept going higher but it wasn’t keeping the sugars down. Was induced for safety at 37.5 and baby boy was born weighing 3.4kgs. He had one sugar drop and was topped up but then fine after this.
well what that they wrote is wrong my baby was 3 pounds born and a c-section and I tiny.
Eleanor Somerville
Yes all three I’m 37 weeks now with my third and it gets worse each pregnancy I am very resilient to insulin my after meals are all fine never an issuue I am careful on what I eat but have days where I’m not and still fine but fasting is my issue I’m now up too 42 units to control levels of only over the limit .7 and I have to keep going up when my body starts to resist the insulin I also take metforman tablets to help too 😉 it’s not the nicest the insulin doesn’t hurt makes me feel a bit sickie but I have to for my baby booked in to be induced as I’m insulin controlled next Monday so 38 weeks and was with both boys (8 1.5 & 9 2 ) I come from a family of big babies so I’m a little worries what she will be born at :-/
I had it with both pregnancies. I was able to control it with diet. In my second pregnancy I was taking a probiotic for pregnancy & I believe it help considerably in controlling my sugar levels.
Yes with my first was born at 37 +3 and was 5lb 12oz
Yes with my second who is now 3 months old. My afters could be controlled with diet but diet and exercise didn’t help at all with my fasting so ended up on protophane for the last 10 weeks or so. Was up to about 38 units in the end. Had baby at
38 +4 vis c sec and he weighed 3.6kg.