Author
Bowtie Team
Updated on
2025-08-13
Disclaimer: This article is translated with the assistance of AI.
Many women planning or already pregnant have heard of gestational diabetes. How do its symptoms differ from regular diabetes? What causes it? What impact does it have on the baby if a pregnant woman develops it? Beyond treatments, what prevention tips are there? Let the Bowtie medical info team break it all down for you.
What is Gestational Diabetes? Causes Explained
Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that develops during pregnancy , typically occurring between the 4th and 9th months . It’s mainly caused by a combination of the following factors:
- Weight gain during pregnancy increases the demand for insulin, but the pancreas can’t produce enough
- The body secretes hormones that counteract insulin, reducing its effectiveness
- The body fails to convert sugar into energy, leading to excess sugar buildup in the blood and elevated blood sugar levels
Gestational Diabetes Symptoms
If a pregnant woman experiences the following symptoms, she should watch out for the possibility of gestational diabetes:
- Increased appetite
- Frequent urination
- Weight loss instead of gain
- Positive urine sugar test during check-ups, even without eating much
What to Do If You Suspect Gestational Diabetes
Routine prenatal check-ups usually include a basic urine sugar test , but to confirm gestational diabetes, you may need a blood glucose screening , or consult your doctor early for a detailed examination.
High-Risk Groups for Gestational Diabetes
Pregnant women should check if they have any of the following six characteristics, as they could be at high risk for gestational diabetes:
- Family history of diabetes
- Age over 35
- Obesity
- Smoking habit
- High blood pressure , high blood lipids
- Previous gestational diabetes or delivery of a baby over 4 kg (9 lbs)
Gestational Diabetes Diagnosis Methods
Generally, pregnant women undergo initial screening for gestational diabetes within 28 weeks of pregnancy , though some public hospitals may only arrange this for high-risk individuals. The initial screening involves a 75-gram oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) or fasting blood glucose measurement, commonly known as “drinking sugar water.” Additionally, routine prenatal check-ups already include urine glucose strip tests.
According to guidelines from the American Diabetes Association, if any one of the following indicators exceeds the standard, a diagnosis of gestational diabetes is made. (Based on the 75-gram oral glucose tolerance test)
| Gestational Diabetes | General Diabetes | |
| Fasting Blood Glucose | >5.1 mmol/L | >7 mmol/L |
| 2-Hour Blood Glucose | >8.5 mmol/L | >11.1 mmol/L |
Can Gestational Diabetes Lead to Type 2 Diabetes Postpartum?
Gestational diabetes is often temporary, with most women’s blood sugar levels returning to normal after delivery. However, women who have had gestational diabetes face a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes later on . That’s why it’s recommended to maintain healthy eating habits, control weight, and get annual blood sugar checks even after giving birth.
Impact of Gestational Diabetes on Mother and Baby
Once diagnosed with gestational diabetes, it can pose the following risks to the baby in the womb:
- Birth defects
- Excess amniotic fluid
- Stillbirth
- Premature birth
It can also burden the mother’s delivery process, increasing the likelihood of the baby being too large, leading to difficult labor or dystocia , or requiring early cesarean section . In rarer cases, the baby may be too small.
Impact of Gestational Diabetes on Newborns
After birth, babies may have a higher risk of infections and developing jaundice . They could also face respiratory distress syndrome and low blood sugar . As they grow up, these children might be more prone to cardiovascular diseases and diabetes .
Gestational Diabetes Treatment Options
Gestational diabetes can be managed through dietary changes , with a focus on eating smaller, more frequent meals and reducing sugar and salt intake . Simple exercises like walking or swimming can help too. For medication, patients can check their blood sugar by pricking their finger after meals and exercise to monitor levels. If needed, doctors may recommend oral medications or insulin injections to stabilize blood sugar.
Gestational Diabetes Diet Tips
Diet plays a key role in managing gestational diabetes. It’s best to eat small, frequent meals , perhaps snacking on a piece of fruit between main meals to avoid overeating and keep blood sugar steady.
Recommendations:
- Have high-protein foods before bed to stabilize blood sugar overnight, like nuts, eggs, or protein bars. But if you have nighttime urination issues, skip this to avoid disrupting sleep.
- Pay attention to food texture—for example, rice is better than congee because congee absorbs faster and spikes blood sugar.
- Be cautious with beans or root vegetables like carrots, potatoes, taro, and pumpkin. Consider replacing white rice with them in a 1:1 ratio.
- Check nutrition labels when buying food; ideally, sugar content should be around 5mg per 100g.
- Aim to eat meals in no more than 30 minutes, followed by a 30-minute walk to burn off sugars. If you track your blood sugar, you’ll see the difference. Can’t walk? Try crossing your legs repeatedly while seated.
- Maintain a balanced diet—every food has nutrients, so don’t avoid high-GI items entirely; just reduce portions or adjust how you eat them. To feel fuller, opt for lower-GI options like half a bowl of white rice, a large half bowl of brown rice, or one and a half bowls of pasta. For fruits, apples and oranges have lower GI—you can eat one whole—but watermelon is high, so limit to one or two slices, and not with meals. Refer to the table below if needed:
| High GI | Medium GI | Low GI | |
| Foods | White rice
Glutinous rice Regular noodles Bread Cornflakes Pumpkin Watermelon |
Red rice
Brown rice Udon Sweet potato Banana Mango |
Brown rice
Vermicelli Pasta Rye bread Oats Skim milk Apple Soybeans |
- Foods rich in dietary fiber, like red quinoa, millet, brown rice, or grain-free rice
- Pair carbs with vegetables to slow blood sugar spikes
- Add snacks between meals—don’t wait until you’re hungry, as that can cause blood sugar to surge
Avoid:
- Eating out, as it’s hard to know the seasonings used
- Foods with heavy seasonings like soy sauce or thick sauces
- High-sugar items like cola, soda, candy, and cakes—they contain refined sugars that spike blood sugar instantly. Occasional treats are okay and can even boost your mood
- Too much fruit, as it contains natural sugars—stick to 2-3 servings a day
- High-fat foods like fried items, especially processed ones that might hide sugars
- Excessive starch, as it often contains sugars. But don’t go completely sugar-free—that could lead to low blood sugar and affect baby’s growth
3 Ways to Prevent Gestational Diabetes
To prevent gestational diabetes, remember these 3 key points:
- Maintain a healthy weight before pregnancy: Being overweight can easily increase your risk of gestational diabetes. Plus, weight loss isn’t recommended during pregnancy, so check your BMI and keep your weight in the normal range.
- Eat a healthy diet: Consume a balanced variety of foods, sticking to the “three lows and one high” formula (low oil, low salt, low sugar, high fiber).
- Exercise regularly: It boosts metabolism, increases blood sugar absorption, helps reduce insulin resistance, and controls blood sugar levels. Half an hour of aerobic exercise daily is highly recommended.
1. Can gestational diabetes patients also experience low blood sugar?
If pregnant women need to follow a strict diet, they should always carry fruit or keep juice in the fridge, especially after taking oral medication or injecting insulin.
Is gestational diabetes common? How many women get gestational diabetes?
3 – 20% of pregnant women have gestational diabetes, and high-risk groups have a higher chance.
Will babies of mothers with gestational diabetes be born with diabetes?
Gestational diabetes increases the baby’s future risk of being overweight and developing type 2 diabetes.
If I had gestational diabetes during pregnancy, can I breastfeed after delivery?
Yes, most moms’ blood sugar returns to normal after birth. Of course, it’s still recommended for those who had gestational diabetes to continue monitoring their blood sugar levels. In fact, breastfeeding can help stabilize blood sugar.
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