Gestational Diabetes

Learn more about gestational diabetes and how it is treated.

Overview

Gestational diabetes happens when your body cannot make enough insulin during pregnancy.

Most women with gestational diabetes did not have diabetes before pregnancy, and it typically goes away after giving birth.

Sometimes a patient may find out they have diabetes during pregnancy, but it is actually type 2 diabetes, not gestational diabetes.

Having gestational diabetes can raise your risk of high blood pressure and can cause your baby to grow larger. It might also increase the chances of delivering early or having a baby with low blood sugar. Managing your blood sugar and monitoring your baby's growth can help ensure a healthy pregnancy.

Diagnoses, treatment and management of gestational diabetes takes place in our Diabetes and Endocrinology in Pregnancy Clinic.

Our care

Learn more about the specialized care provided at Mount Sinai Hospital for diabetes in pregnancy.

This content is intended for informational purposes only and is not intended to be used or relied upon for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. It does not replace the need for consultation with a health-care professional. Please speak with your health-care professional for questions about your health.

Diagnosis

Gestational diabetes often does not show warning signs, which is why it is important to get tested during your pregnancy.

Tests for gestational diabetes are usually done between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy. You will start with a glucose. If it shows high blood sugar, you will need to do a glucose tolerance test to confirm the result.

Glucose test: For this test you drink a sugary liquid. After one hour, we take a blood sample to measure your blood sugar levels.

Glucose tolerance test: In this test your blood sugar is first tested after you have had nothing to eat and drink overnight. You will drink a sugary liquid. Your blood sugar level is then tested one, two and three hours after drinking the liquid.

Treatment

It is important to manage gestational diabetes for the health of both the mother and baby. Your certified diabetes educator will work with you to determine the best lifestyle changes to help manage your condition. We will also monitor the growth and development of your baby.

Glucose monitoring

You will be asked to track your blood glucose level with a glucose meter to make sure it is within a healthy range.

Healthy eating

Diet is an essential part of managing gestational diabetes. Your certified diabetes educator can help you make healthy food choices. Exercise, healthy lifestyle and stress reduction are beneficial in managing your diabetes.

Other treatment options

Sometimes, diet and exercise are not enough to manage blood glucose targets in gestational diabetes. In this case your team will recommend that you take insulin, metformin, or another medication. This will help you achieve glucose targets.