Gestational Diabetes

Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM)

Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that can develop during pregnancy. It affects those who are not already diagnosed as having Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes.

Gestational diabetes develops because of an interaction between your pregnancy hormones and the natural insulin made in your body.  This means you have high blood sugar and need to take extra care of yourself and your bump. This will include eating well and keeping active. Gestational diabetes usually goes away again after giving birth.

GDM is usually diagnosed by a blood test performed between 24 and 28 weeks into pregnancy, called a glucose tolerance test (GTT).  When you have your first appointment with a midwife, it will be determined if you require a GTT as some people will have an increased chance of developing GDM.  If you are told a GTT would be advised, an appointment will be requested and you will receive this appointment by post.

The test involves having a sample of blood taken early in the morning. You must not eat anything the night before.  After the blood test you will be given a sweet drink. Two hours later, another blood sample will be taken.  Bring a book!!

If your GTT result confirms you have gestational diabetes, you will get a call from the Diabetes Specialist Midwives.  They understand this is a scary diagnosis, but they will offer you reassurance and explain what the diagnosis means for your care.

They will invite you to meet with them at the hospital to discuss how GDM can be managed and will put an individualised plan of care into place.  They will discuss dietary changes that will help to maintain healthy blood sugars, discuss medications that are available if needed and provide you with a blood glucose meter which you will use at home to monitor your blood sugars.

You will also be offered regular scans, which look at how your baby is growing from 28 weeks of your pregnancy. You will also be given regular appointments with the Diabetes Specialist Midwives to review your blood sugars.  At each appointment, they will answer your questions, make a plan for your ongoing care and make changes to your plan of care if needed.

The Diabetes Specialist Midwives will also call you during your pregnancy to catch up with you and see how you are getting on.  You will be given their number so you can call if you need extra support or have questions.

Find out what it was like for Roisin to find out she had gestational diabetes

Please be aware that your local hospital will explain what your blood glucose targets are which may differ from those mentioned in the film.

As soon as your baby is born, you will no longer be treated as having diabetes.  Yes! It really does just disappear!  You may have one random blood sugar test after the baby arrives, but otherwise, you no longer have to test your blood sugars. You can stop any medication you may have been prescribed, and you can eat normally again. However, you are advised to follow a healthy diet which is not continually high in carbohydrate.

Your baby will, however, need some checks to make sure they have made the changes needed to regulate their own blood sugars.  Babies of diabetic mothers can experience very low blood sugars, so it is recommended you both stay with us for around 24 hours to ensure your baby is well.

Eat regular meals

Can I include snacks?

There will be times when you are hungry and want something to eat without it affecting your blood glucose level or requiring another injection (if you are on insulin).

Snacks that contain carbohydrates (carbs) will make blood glucose levels rise, but how much depends on the amount. The more carbs you eat; the higher the rise in your blood glucose level.

As a guide, snacks containing up to 10g carbs will raise blood glucose levels by up to 3 mmol/l, which is not a large amount. Reading labels and finding out how much carbohydrate is in your snack will help you with your management.