Gestational diabetes

Introduction
Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that affects women during pregnancy.
Diabetes is a condition where there is too much glucose (sugar) in the blood.
Normally, the amount of glucose in the blood is controlled by a hormone called
insulin.
However, during pregnancy, some women develop higher than normal levels of
glucose in their blood, which insulin can't bring under control.
Gestational diabetes usually develops in the third trimester (after 28 weeks) and
usually disappears after the baby is born. However, women who develop gestational
diabetes are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes later in life.
Types of diabetes
Gestational diabetes is first diagnosed during pregnancy. The two other main types of
diabetes are:
type 1 diabetes when the body produces no insulin at all (often referred to as
juvenile diabetes or early-onset diabetes)
type 2 diabetes when the body doesn't produce enough insulin and/or the bodys
cells don't react to insulin (insulin resistance)
Symptoms of gestational diabetes
Gestational diabetes often doesn't cause any symptoms. This means you may be
screened for the condition at your first antenatal appointment by a venous glucose
sample, at around weeks 8-12 of pregnancy.
If you are at increased risk of gestational diabetes you will be offered a full test,
which takes place during weeks 24-28 of pregnancy.
Read more about how gestational diabetes is diagnosed.
High blood glucose (hyperglycaemia) can cause some symptoms, including:
a dry mouth with increased thirst
needing to urinate frequently, especially at night
tiredness
recurrent infections, such as thrush (a yeast infection)
blurred vision
Read more information about hyperglycaemia.

How common is gestational diabetes?

Gestational diabetes is a common condition, and up to 18 in every 100 women giving
birth in England and Wales may be affected.
Treating gestational diabetes
Gestational diabetes can be controlled with diet and exercise. However, some women
will need medication to keep their blood glucose levels under control.
Read more about how gestational diabetes is treated.
If gestational diabetes is not detected and treated, it can increase the risk of birth
complications for both the mother and baby.