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Gestational Diabetes

Last updated: 05 January 2012

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What is Gestational Diabetes

Gestational Diabetes is a problem with the body breaking down sugars and can develop during pregnancy. It most commonly occurs during the second or third trimester.

During pregnancy, your body needs to produce more insulin to make sure the sugar in your blood is broken down to be used as energy. If you're not producing enough insulin, your blood sugar levels rise and pass to your baby.

It could cause your baby to grow very big if left untreated, which can cause problems at birth.

What are the symptoms of Gestational Diabetes?

Gestational Diabetes often has no symptoms but is picked up during routine tests in pregnancy. It can cause symptoms such as being thirsty all the time and having a dry mouth, the need to wee more frequently, tiredness, infections such as thrush, and blurred eyesight.

What are the treatments and remedies of Gestational Diabetes?

To help prevent Gestational Diabetes, you should eat healthily and aim to have 30 minutes of exercise every day.

If you have Gestational Diabetes, it can be controlled by a specific diet or insulin injections if necessary.

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