Everything you need to know about gestational diabetes

November is diabetes awareness month, and while much of the focus is on type 1 diabetes (t1d) and type 2 diabetes (t2d), there are actually several other forms. Gestational diabetes is unique in that it is usually a temporary condition diagnosed during pregnancy. While temporary, it's no less serious since the mother's blood sugar control can directly impact her unborn baby. If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with this form of diabetes, it can feel like a steep learning curve. Let's talk about what it is, how to manage it, and what it means for your health going forward.

The basics

Gestational diabetes is the term used to describe diabetes diagnosed during pregnancy. The CDC reports gestational diabetes rates for pregnancies in the US at anywhere from two to 10% every year. Similar to the more widely discussed types of diabetes like t1d and t2d, a diagnosis of this form of diabetes means your body does not produce enough insulin to regulate blood sugar at the standard levels. What causes it exactly is unknown, but the good news is the condition is typically temporary, meaning insulin sensitivity and blood sugars will return to normal following delivery.

Testing for gestational diabetes

Most women, diabetes or not, develop some amount of insulin resistance in the second half of pregnancy — I have t1d, and I definitely did. Doctors generally prescribe a glucose screening check early in the third trimester. It's the one test I never had to take since my diabetes was diagnosed long before pregnancy! The test itself is pretty simple — you will probably drink a sweet liquid that has a specific amount of sugar, then your doctor will check your blood sugar an hour after you finish the drink. The results of the test will determine if further testing is required.

Further testing may require you to repeat the basic steps of the first test — drink a sweet liquid and provide blood samples at set intervals, usually at the one, two, and three-hour marks. Your doctor will review these readings to determine if your blood sugars have adequately and efficiently recovered from the initial burst of glucose provided by the sweet drink. That's basically it — force your body to make insulin and judge how well it does!

Treatment options and support

A diagnosis on top of the roller coaster of emotions associated with pregnancy itself can feel like a lot. Know that you are not alone and that there are lots of resources to help you understand and navigate life as you manage your diabetes! This would be a great time to enlist the help of a partner — perhaps your spouse or a family member or friend who has the bandwidth to learn alongside you.

Many cases can be managed with at-home blood sugar monitoring combined with diet and exercise. Some cases may also require insulin injections or the use of other medications to increase insulin sensitivity.

Either way, understanding how carbohydrates affect blood sugar will be one of your first lessons. If your doctor recommends meeting with a dietitian, take them up on it! A dietitian can help you learn to read labels, identify foods to (temporarily) steer clear of, and lay out some staple meals to get you through the last few weeks of pregnancy without too much diabetes-induced stress.

Taking your diabetes management seriously is important for both you and your unborn baby.

What happens after birth?

Whew — you made it! For most women, blood sugar levels and insulin sensitivity return to normal levels after delivery. Your doctor will probably want to perform follow-up tests during those first few months postpartum just to ensure everything is evening out.

There are some longer-term health risks to be cognizant of after a diagnosis of gestational diabetes. According to the American Pregnancy Association, a diagnosis does increase your chance of experiencing gestational diabetes with future pregnancies and potentially t2d later in life.

Make sure to always consult with your doctor. If you'd like to read up on more diabetes awareness month topics, check out this article on how to get involved.