Researchers don't yet know why some women get gestational diabetes and others don't. Excess weight before pregnancy often plays a role. Usually, various hormones work to keep blood sugar levels in check.

But during pregnancy, hormone levels change, making it harder for the body to process blood sugar efficiently. This makes blood sugar rise. Gestational diabetes that's not carefully managed can lead to high blood sugar levels.

High blood sugar can cause problems for you and your baby, including an increased likelihood of needing a surgery to deliver C-section. There are no guarantees when it comes to preventing gestational diabetes — but the more healthy habits you can adopt before pregnancy, the better.

If you've had gestational diabetes, these healthy choices may also reduce your risk of having it again in future pregnancies or developing type 2 diabetes in the future.

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You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Risk factors for gestational diabetes include: Being overweight or obese Not being physically active Having prediabetes Having had gestational diabetes during a previous pregnancy Having polycystic ovary syndrome Having an immediate family member with diabetes Having previously delivered a baby weighing more than 9 pounds 4.

Complications that may affect your baby If you have gestational diabetes, your baby may be at increased risk of: Excessive birth weight. If your blood sugar level is higher than the standard range, it can cause your baby to grow too large.

Very large babies — those who weigh 9 pounds or more — are more likely to become wedged in the birth canal, have birth injuries or need a C-section birth.

Early preterm birth. High blood sugar may increase the risk of early labor and delivery before the due date. Or early delivery may be recommended because the baby is large. Serious breathing difficulties.

Babies born early may experience respiratory distress syndrome — a condition that makes breathing difficult. Low blood sugar hypoglycemia.

Sometimes babies have low blood sugar hypoglycemia shortly after birth. Severe episodes of hypoglycemia may cause seizures in the baby. Prompt feedings and sometimes an intravenous glucose solution can return the baby's blood sugar level to normal.

Obesity and type 2 diabetes later in life. Babies have a higher risk of developing obesity and type 2 diabetes later in life. Untreated gestational diabetes can result in a baby's death either before or shortly after birth.

Complications that may affect you Gestational diabetes may also increase your risk of: High blood pressure and preeclampsia. Gestational diabetes raises your risk of high blood pressure, as well as preeclampsia — a serious complication of pregnancy that causes high blood pressure and other symptoms that can threaten both your life and your baby's life.

Having a surgical delivery C-section. You're more likely to have a C-section if you have gestational diabetes. Future diabetes. If you have gestational diabetes, you're more likely to get it again during a future pregnancy. You also have a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes as you get older.

Eat healthy foods. Choose foods high in fiber and low in fat and calories. Focus on fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Strive for variety to help you achieve your goals without compromising taste or nutrition.

Watch portion sizes. Keep active. Exercising before and during pregnancy can help protect you from developing gestational diabetes. Aim for 30 minutes of moderate activity on most days of the week. Take a brisk daily walk. Ride your bike.

Swim laps. Short bursts of activity — such as parking further away from the store when you run errands or taking a short walk break — all add up. Start pregnancy at a healthy weight. If you're planning to get pregnant, losing extra weight beforehand may help you have a healthier pregnancy.

Focus on making lasting changes to your eating habits that can help you through pregnancy, such as eating more vegetables and fruits. Don't gain more weight than recommended. Gaining some weight during pregnancy is typical and healthy. But gaining too much weight too quickly can increase your risk of gestational diabetes.

Ask your health care provider what a reasonable amount of weight gain is for you. By Mayo Clinic Staff. Apr 09, Show References. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Practice Bulletin No. Diabetes and Pregnancy: Gestational diabetes.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Accessed Dec. Typically, it does not cause symptoms. When it does, symptoms may be mild and involve increased thirst and urination. Left untreated, gestational diabetes can cause several risks for a birthing parent. These include:. A pregnant person has a higher risk of preeclampsia, which involves high blood pressure and protein in the urine.

Preeclampsia can also cause lingering swelling in the fingers and toes. The condition is serious and can lead to :. Uncontrolled gestational diabetes can cause high blood sugar in the fetus, which results in excess growth.

A large baby can increase discomfort for the parent during the last few months of pregnancy and cause problems during delivery.

Consequently, the pregnant person may need a cesarean, or C-section. This type of delivery requires a longer recovery period than a vaginal delivery.

After giving birth, blood sugar levels typically return to normal. High blood glucose increases the risk of miscarriage and stillbirth. Untreated gestational diabetes can also have risks for the infant.

They include :. When a C-section is necessary, the procedure may cause nerve damage in the baby from pressure on the shoulder during delivery. This can cause breathing problems and other conditions. High blood sugar during pregnancy raises the likelihood of these conditions later in life.

Because being overweight can increase the risk of gestational diabetes, losing excess weight before becoming pregnant can help prevent it. This can also promote better blood sugar levels. After a person becomes pregnant, they should not try to lose weight.

That said, gaining excess weight too rapidly during this time can raise the risk of the condition. A person should ask their doctor how much weight gain and exercise is advisable for them if they are pregnant. Treatment for many people can involve eating a healthy diet and engaging in regular physical activity.

Regular physical activity fosters blood sugar control and helps reduce the risk of having type 2 diabetes later. People should talk with a doctor about what type and how much exercise is safe for them during pregnancy. When diet and physical activity do not regulate blood sugar well, insulin may be necessary.

Insulin shots do not have side effects that will harm the fetus, and they are usually the first-line medication for gestational diabetes.

Doctors most frequently test for the condition between the 24th and 28th week of pregnancy. Additionally, if someone experiences symptoms, such as increased thirst or urination before this time, they should notify their doctor. Diagnosis and management can increase the chances of a safe pregnancy and healthy baby.

Untreated gestational diabetes usually does not manifest symptoms. However, it can cause risks for the birthing parent.

These include preeclampsia, a C-section delivery, and early birth. Losing excess weight and getting regular exercise before pregnancy can help prevent gestational diabetes. Treatment involves regular exercise and healthy eating.

However, some people may need insulin shots. Gestational diabetes refers to high blood sugar levels during pregnancy, and it usually resolves after delivery.

Learn about the treatment and more. Gestational diabetes causes complications during pregnancy. Here, learn how to recognize gestational diabetes and which foods to eat and avoid.

Although it is not always possible to prevent gestational diabetes, eating well and exercising regularly to achieve or maintain a healthy weight can…. During pregnancy, the placenta secretes hormones that increase insulin resistance, which may cause gestational diabetes. However, left untreated….

Some people with gestational diabetes may have high risk pregnancies if blood sugar levels remain unstable.

You have a family history of type 2 diabetes. You already had a baby who weighed more than nine pounds at birth. You have been diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome PCOS. You previously had gestational diabetes. You are Asian American, African American, Pacific Islander, Hispanic, American Indian, Native Hawaiian, or Alaska Native.

Being tested for gestational diabetes is a routine part of prenatal care. Your doctor will likely test you for gestational diabetes between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy. Gestational diabetes is diagnosed through a series of blood tests. Your doctor may give you the glucose challenge test and oral glucose tolerance test.

These tests both work to demonstrate how well your body uses glucose. The glucose challenge test is also known as the glucose screening test. You will be asked to drink a sweet liquid that contains glucose and your doctor will draw a sample of your blood after one hour. If the results show that your blood glucose is too high, you may need to take a different test to confirm gestational diabetes.

A doctor or nurse will draw your blood before giving you a sweet liquid drink containing glucose. Your blood will then be drawn every hour for the next two to three hours.

If your blood sugar is too high at any two blood draws, you may have gestational diabetes. You will need to fast for at least eight hours before this test, only drinking water.

Most women who are diagnosed with gestational diabetes go on to have healthy pregnancies and deliveries, but complications are possible. Possible gestational diabetes complications include:.

Macrosomia may increase the likelihood of cesarean delivery or instrumental vaginal delivery. Vaginal delivery may be more challenging with macrosomia, and fetal birth trauma may occur. Fetal macrosomia may cause shoulder dystocia, a rare but serious injury.

Fracture of the clavicle and damage to the nerves of the brachial plexus are the most common injuries caused by macrosomia. With poorly managed gestational diabetes, your baby may receive more sugar than they need during pregnancy, which increases their insulin levels. This raises the risk of your baby developing neonatal hypoglycemia low blood sugar levels after delivery.

Fetal macrosomia also increases the risk of neonatal hypoglycemia. Polycythemia is a blood disorder that can affect babies whose mothers have gestational diabetes. The condition occurs when the concentration of red blood cells is too high, slowing blood flow. Gestational diabetes could increase the risk of your baby developing jaundice at birth.

Jaundice can occur in babies born to mothers without gestational diabetes, and it can be monitored at home. However, some babies may require more extensive treatment in hospital.

Gestational diabetes may cause polyhydramnios, a condition where there is too much amniotic fluid in the womb. This could make it challenging for your baby to move into the proper birth position. Polyhydramnios may also cause other complications, including early labor and postpartum hemorrhage.

Gestational diabetes increases your risk of developing preeclampsia, a condition categorized by high blood pressure.

If not properly managed, preeclampsia can lead to dangerous complications for you and your baby. In preeclampsia, high blood pressure typically occurs after 20 weeks of pregnancy. It may be accompanied by other characteristics, including proteinuria excess protein in the urine , thrombocytopenia low blood platelet count , poor kidney or liver function, pulmonary edema, or cerebral or vision symptoms.

Gestational diabetes could cause you to go into labor early. This may be due to polyhydramnios, where the excess amniotic fluid causes the womb to stretch. Your medical team may recommend scheduling an induction or cesarean section early to lower the risk of stillbirth or fetal birth trauma.

In rare cases, stillbirth can result from gestational diabetes. You and your child may have a higher risk of developing diabetes in the future. Gestational diabetes can lead to serious complications for both you and your baby, so you should get treatment as soon as possible. Treatment for gestational diabetes is aimed at maintaining normal blood sugar levels.

You should work closely with your doctor and follow your personalized treatment plan as directed to help prevent problems during pregnancy, birth, or after delivery. Your doctor will recommend a treatment plan based on your condition, medical history, and current lifestyle.

Gestational diabetes can be managed in several ways, including:. Eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and limiting your fat and sugar consumption can help keep your blood sugar under control.

Working with a dietitian may help if you need guidance on which foods to eat, limit, or avoid. Incorporating exercise into your daily routine — like brisk walks, swimming, or yoga — can help you maintain a healthy weight and keep your blood sugar levels under control.

Regular exercise encourages your body to use glucose without needing extra insulin. Be sure to consult your doctor before starting a new exercise routine. Ask your doctor about safe and sustainable ways to maintain a healthy weight.

Try to be aware of your blood glucose levels throughout the day. Glycemic goals for women with gestational diabetes are:. Being diagnosed with gestational diabetes can be overwhelming.

Not only will you have concerns about your own health, but you will also be worried about your baby. Here are some tips to help you find the support you need:. It may be tempting to pretend like everything is normal and not make any changes to your lifestyle, but this approach can have serious consequences for you and your baby.

Acknowledge your diagnosis and work with your doctor to create a treatment plan that helps you stay healthy and avoid complications throughout your pregnancy. You may be more likely to stick to a healthy routine and diet when those around you are participating and supporting you.

Try encouraging family and friends to join you by making changes to adopt a healthier lifestyle. With the help of a professional dietitian, you can create healthy meal plans that are nutritious, delicious, and, most importantly, fit seamlessly into your daily routine. Try to follow professional medical advice when making changes to your diet to ensure your food choices are suitable for you and your baby.

With this in mind, finding a support group of other women with gestational diabetes in your area or online could be incredibly beneficial. Taking good care of yourself is always important, particularly during pregnancy. While you may not notice any unusual signs or symptoms of gestational diabetes, you should visit your doctor regularly to receive proper prenatal care.

If you think you may have risk factors for developing the condition, be sure to tell your doctor. They will carry out a routine test to determine if you have gestational diabetes and monitor you closely throughout your pregnancy.

If you are diagnosed with gestational diabetes, be sure to follow the individualized treatment plan prescribed by your doctor to manage your blood sugar levels and protect the wellbeing of you and your baby.

While gestational diabetes does not always present any noticeable symptoms, your doctor will perform a routine blood test between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy to determine if your blood sugar levels are within the normal range.

You could be diagnosed with gestational diabetes if they are too high. Possible complications from gestational diabetes include having a large baby macrosomia , premature birth, hypoglycemia, and preeclampsia. Technical issues Gestational diabetes Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

Diabetes and pregnancy American Diabetes Association. Complications of gestational diabetes Diabetes. Gestational diabetes MedlinePlus.

Health Johns Hopkins Medicine. Normal pregnancy- A state of insulin resistance Diabetes risk factors Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Preeclampsia and diabetes Overview NHS. What neonatal complications should the pediatrician be aware of in case of maternal gestational diabetes?

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