Gestational diabetes
Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that develops during pregnancy, usually in the second or third trimester. It occurs when the body cannot produce enough insulin to meet the extra demands of pregnancy.
Gestational diabetes usually resolves after the baby is born, but it does increase the long-term risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Risk factors include a BMI above 30, a previous large baby (over 4.5kg), a family history of diabetes and certain ethnic backgrounds.
The condition is diagnosed using an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), which measures blood glucose levels before and after drinking a glucose solution. Managing blood sugar through diet, physical activity and, in some cases, medication or insulin is important to reduce risks for both mother and baby.
Causes of Gestational diabetes
Gestational diabetes occurs because hormones produced by the placenta during pregnancy increase the body's resistance to insulin. In most women, the pancreas compensates by producing more insulin. In women who develop gestational diabetes, this compensation is insufficient.
Risk factors include:
- A BMI of 30 or above
- A previous baby weighing 4.5kg (10lb) or more
- Gestational diabetes in a previous pregnancy
- A parent or sibling with diabetes
- Being of South Asian, Black African, Black Caribbean or Middle Eastern descent
Women who have had gestational diabetes have a significantly higher lifetime risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Annual blood glucose testing is recommended following a pregnancy affected by gestational diabetes.
Tests that can help check this condition
Learn more on the official NHS page .
