Gestational Diabetes

Gestational diabetes (or gestational diabetes mellitus, GDM) is a condition in which women without previously diagnosed diabetes exhibit high blood glucose levels during pregnancy. It can affect up to 1 in 10 women.

It is not know exactly why some women get gestational diabetes; it is thought that the hormones from the placenta that help the baby develop also block the action of the mother's insulin in her body.

Gestational diabetes generally has few symptoms and is most commonly diagnosed by testing the urine sample which you take to your check ups during pregnancy. If diabetes is supected a futher blood test may be made.

The main risk factors for gestational diabetes are

• If you have a family history of type II (adult-onset) diabetes
• If you are over the age of 35
• if you are overweight or obese
• If you have previously given birth to a large baby
• If you have previously given birth to a baby born with an abnormality
• If you have previously had a stillbirth late in pregnancy
• If you come from certain ethnic backgrounds (e.g. African, African-Caribbean and Asian)

Babies born to mothers with gestational diabetes are at increased risk of complications such as

• the baby being small or being too large.
• an increased risk of suffering from pre-eclampsia
• an increased risk of a premature birth
• an increased risk of the baby suffering respiratory distress syndrome

Most mothers-to-be with gestational diabetes only require a treatment of diet modification and moderate exercise, but some may need to take anti-diabetic drugs, including insulin. Your midwife or doctor will advise on a suitable diet.

The condition is reversible and in most cases after birth the blood glucose levels go back to normal. Occasionally the mother may subsequently develop type II diabetes.

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