What is gestational diabetes?
Gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy and usually goes away after the baby is born. Women with gestational diabetes can still have a healthy baby but it is important that gestational diabetes is managed to reduce the risk of developing complications during pregnancy.
In pregnancy, the placenta makes hormones that help the baby to grow and develop. Gestational diabetes occurs because these hormones also block the action of the mother’s insulin on the body’s cells and stops them from being able to take up glucose (insulin resistance). To make up for these hormones blocking the insulin, the woman’s body needs more insulin than normal to get the glucose into the cells to be used as energy.
In most pregnancies, a woman’s body can meet the extra demand for insulin, but if the body cannot produce this much insulin, gestational diabetes develops. When the pregnancy is over and pregnancy hormones are no longer blocking insulin from working, gestational diabetes no longer exists.
Managing gestational diabetes
Management involves:
- Regular blood glucose monitoring
- Healthy eating and balanced nutrition
- Regular physical activity
- Healthy pregnancy weight gain
- Medication, when needed
Education and access to a multidisciplinary support team are vital in successfully managing gestational diabetes.
Partnering with experienced professionals ensures you receive personalised guidance, up-to-date resources and the comprehensive care needed to maintain long-term health and well-being.
Managing gestational diabetes is a team effort. Involve your family, friends and health professionals.
Make Healthy Living NT a part of your regular cycle of care.
Contact us to book an appointment with our multidisciplinary allied health team today.
Your partner in diabetes management
See more about our gestational diabetes services and find the right one for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
In most cases, it resolves after the baby is born. However, follow-up testing is important.
Through healthy eating, physical activity, blood glucose monitoring, and sometimes medication or insulin.
Yes. With proper management and support, most people have healthy pregnancies and babies.