Gestational Diabetes: What You Need to Know (Without the Snooze-Fest)
If you’re expecting a baby, there’s a lot on your plate - literally and figuratively. Between weird cravings, unsolicited advice from strangers, and trying to see your feet past your belly, the last thing you want is a surprise complication.
Enter gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) - a condition that can sneak up in pregnancy but is totally manageable with the right info and care. Let’s break it down in a way that won’t put you to sleep!
What is Gestational Diabetes (and Why Should You Care)?
GDM happens when your body, thanks to those pregnancy hormones, decides it’s suddenly bad at handling sugar. It usually shows up in the second or third trimester and affects about 7% of pregnancies. The good news? It’s temporary. The bad news? It still needs attention to keep you and your baby healthy.
Who's More Likely to Get It? (A.K.A. Do You Need to Worry?)
GDM can happen to anyone, but some risk factors can increase the odds:
Carrying extra weight pre-pregnancy
Having gestational diabetes in a previous pregnancy
Giving birth to a baby over 9 lbs before
A family history of diabetes
Having polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
High blood pressure
Certain ethnic backgrounds (African, Asian, Hispanic, Native American, Pacific Islander)
That said, even if you have zero risk factors, GDM can still happen—because pregnancy loves to keep things interesting!
How Does Gestational Diabetes Affect Your Baby?
Nobody likes a sugar overload, and babies are no exception. If GDM isn’t well-managed, your baby could:
Grow extra-large (aka macrosomia) - which can make delivery tricky
Have low blood sugar after birth
Be at higher risk for early delivery (which can lead to breathing issues and jaundice)
In severe cases, GDM can increase the risk of stillbirth (which is why monitoring is so important!)
And What About You?
For parents-to-be, GDM raises the risk of:
High blood pressure and preeclampsia
Needing a C-section if baby is too big
Developing Type 2 diabetes later in life
Increased postpartum bleeding
What Actually Causes Gestational Diabetes?
Your body naturally makes insulin to help process sugar (glucose) from food. But during pregnancy, your placenta releases hormones that can cause your body to become more resistant to insulin. If your pancreas can’t keep up by making more insulin, your blood sugar rises - and boom, gestational diabetes.
How Do You Know If You Have It?
Most providers test for GDM between 24 and 28 weeks, but if you have risk factors, they might check earlier. The standard test is the Glucose Tolerance Test (GTT), which goes like this:
You drink a super sweet glucose solution known as glucola that contains a set amount of sugar
Your blood sugar is tested an hour later.
If levels are high, you’ll take a longer test to confirm the diagnosis.
Alternative tests exist, like The Fresh Test (a natural alternative) or continuous glucose monitoring, but these aren’t standard practice yet and can miss more cases of gestational diabetes. Talk to your provider if you have concerns about the glucola drink or want more information.
What Happens If You Have GDM?
First, take a deep breath. A diagnosis isn’t the end of the world - but it DOES mean you’ll need to make a few changes to keep your blood sugar levels stable:
Monitor your blood sugar (fasting + two hours after meals)
Eat smart (balance carbs, protein, and fats)
Stay active (even a 30-minute daily walk helps)
Medication if needed (insulin is common if diet and exercise aren’t enough)
Extra baby monitoring (more ultrasounds and kick counts may be recommended)
Will You Need an Early Delivery?
Not necessarily! If your blood sugar is well-controlled, you can likely carry to full term. However, if GDM leads to complications (like high blood pressure, unstable blood sugar levels or a rapidly growing baby), your provider might suggest early induction to keep things safe.
What Happens After Baby Arrives?
Here’s the deal: GDM usually goes away after birth, but it raises your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes later. To stay on top of things:
Get a glucose test 6-12 weeks postpartum to check your levels.
Make healthy habits stick - balanced eating, regular exercise, and weight management lower your future diabetes risk.
If you plan to have another baby, know that GDM can return in future pregnancies.
It’s also important to know your baby will require blood sugar testing after they are born to make sure their body is transitioning to life on the outside in a healthy way! This will involve several heel pokes to obtain blood to test at various points of time. Your postpartum staff will be able to describe this to you in more detail after your baby arrives.
The Bottom Line
Gestational diabetes might sound scary, but with the right care, most people have healthy pregnancies and healthy babies. The key? Stay informed, follow your provider’s advice, and remember: you’re not alone in this! Your healthcare team is there to support you every step of the way.
Got questions about GDM? Chat with your provider - they’ll help you create a plan that keeps you and your little one thriving!
