Gestational Diabetes
Understanding diabetes in pregnancy and what it means for you and your baby
Gestational diabetes is a form of diabetes that develops during pregnancy in women who did not previously have diabetes. It affects around 1 in 20 pregnancies in the UK and usually resolves after the baby is born. With the right management, most women with gestational diabetes go on to have a healthy pregnancy and birth.
What is gestational diabetes?
During pregnancy, hormones from the placenta can make the body's cells less responsive to insulin — a process called insulin resistance. In most women, the pancreas compensates by producing more insulin. In women with gestational diabetes, this compensation is not sufficient and blood glucose levels rise above normal. This can affect the growth and health of the baby if not managed.
Who is at risk?
Gestational diabetes is more common in women who are overweight or obese, those who have had gestational diabetes in a previous pregnancy, those with a family history of type 2 diabetes, and women from South Asian, Black African or African-Caribbean backgrounds. Women over 35 are also at higher risk. All women with risk factors are offered a glucose tolerance test during pregnancy.
Managing gestational diabetes
The first step is dietary modification — reducing sugary and refined carbohydrate foods and eating regular, balanced meals. Blood glucose monitoring at home helps track whether levels are within the safe target range. If diet alone is not enough to control blood glucose, medication — usually metformin tablets or insulin injections — is prescribed. Close monitoring of the baby's growth is also important throughout the pregnancy.
What happens after the birth?
For most women, blood glucose returns to normal after the baby is born and the placental hormones are no longer present. However, gestational diabetes significantly increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life — by around 50% over ten years. A blood glucose test is recommended six to thirteen weeks after delivery to check that levels have returned to normal, and annual checks thereafter.
Staying healthy for the future
The good news is that type 2 diabetes can often be prevented or delayed with healthy lifestyle choices. Maintaining a healthy weight, eating a balanced diet and staying physically active all significantly reduce the risk. Breastfeeding has also been shown to reduce diabetes risk for both mother and baby. All information in this article has been prepared following careful evaluation of current national pregnancy and diabetes guidelines to ensure accuracy.