You would have been screened for GDM if you have any of the following risk factors:
obesity
previous 4.5 kg baby
family history with diabetes
your ethnicity
previous gestational diabetes: or
you have persistent sugar in your urine. A blood test measuring your blood sugar (glucose) level after a sugary drink will confirm the diagnosis.
What does this mean?
For me: GDM increases your chance of developing pre-eclampsia during your pregnancy and having type 2 diabetes mellitus later in life.For my baby: There is a greater risk of having a miscarriage. The blood sugar level can increase the size of your baby. This could make it harder for you to deliver your baby and can increase the risk of your baby having shoulder dystocia. Your baby would be at a greater risk of developing obesity and or diabetes mellitus in their later life.
What will the medical team recommend?
You will be seen more frequently in a joint diabetes and pregnancy clinic. You will be asked to make changes to your diet and increase your physical activity. These lifestyle changes will help reduce your blood sugar level.
What tests will/may be considered? How often may they be needed?
You will be shown how to check your blood sugar levels and told what your target blood levels should be. You will be asked you to measure your blood sugar levels four times a day, once before breakfast (fasting) and one hour after each meal. You will need to do this daily until you deliver your baby.
What symptoms and signs should I be looking out for?
GDM does not usually have any symptoms. If your blood sugar level is high you may feel you want to urinate more, be thirstier or have vaginal thrush (itching and white vaginal thrush.
What are the ‘red flag’ symptoms/concerns, which means that they should be reported immediately?
If you feel unwell or your baby is moving less than normal.
How are recommendations made regarding treatment options?
Firstly you will be advised on diet changes and if this does not help you could be offered metformin or insulin. All these medications are safe for your baby.
How are recommendations made regarding timing of birth?
This may change depending upon the size of a baby and your blood sugar control.
How may this impact my birth choices?
We may advise you to deliver your baby before your due date.
How may this affect care after the birth?
You can stop checking your blood glucose levels after you have had your baby.
What will this mean for future pregnancies? How can I reduce my risk of this happening again?
GDM can increases your risk of developing gestational diabetes in a future pregnancy. It’s important to eat healthily and take regular physical activity during pregnancy, and to keep it up after pregnancy. This will reduce the risk in future pregnancies.
What will this mean for future/my long-term health and how can I influence this?
GDM can increases your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes in the future. It’s important to eat healthily and take regular physical activity during pregnancy, and to keep it up after pregnancy. This will reduce your future risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. You will need to see your GP every year to check you haven’t developed type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Where can I find out more information about this condition?
