Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a temporary type of diabetes that can happen during pregnancy. When you have GDM, your body cannot produce enough insulin to handle the effects of a growing baby and your changing hormone levels. This causes your blood glucose (sugar) levels to rise.
You may be more likely to have GDM if you:
- are 35 years of age or older
- belong to ethnic groups who are at higher risk for GDM (ex: African, Arab, Asian, Hispanic, Indigenous or South Asian)
- are obese (BMI 30 or higher)
- have a family history of type 2 diabetes
- had GDM in a previous pregnancy
How will I know if I have GDM?
Your health care provider (HCP) will order a “glucose challenge test” when you are 24 to 28 weeks pregnant.
All pregnant people are screened for GDM during their regularly scheduled prenatal visits.
What can I do to manage my GDM?
- Eat foods that slowly raise your blood sugar levels. Some examples are whole grain breads, sweet potato and most fruits. Diabetes Canada recommends eating foods that have a low glycemic index.
- You can see a dietitian to learn more about healthy eating in pregnancy.
- Aim to gain a healthy amount of weight during pregnancy. The amount of weight that is right for you depends on how much you weighed before you were pregnant.
- Enjoy being active. Aim for a total of 30 minutes of physical activity daily. Check with your health care provider before starting a physical activity program.
- Your health care provider may ask you to check your blood sugar levels at home with a blood glucose meter.
- Sometimes healthy eating and exercise are not enough to manage blood sugar levels. Your health care provider may prescribe medications such as insulin. Your health care team will teach you how much and how to take your insulin at home.
What can I expect after giving birth?
- After giving birth, your blood sugar should go back to normal. Your health care provider will order a blood sugar test at your six week postpartum visit.
- Breastfeed/chestfeed immediately after giving birth so your baby’s blood sugar will not go low. Breastfeeding/chestfeeding beyond six months will also protect you and your child from diabetes and obesity.
- You are at risk of developing GDM on your next pregnancy. This may mean you will be tested earlier for diabetes in your next pregnancy.
- You are also at risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the future. Your health care provider may test you for diabetes more frequently.
References
- Living with gestational diabetes – Diabetes Canada
- About Gestational Diabetes – CDC
