Dr. Ponder is sitting with a pregnant patient and reviewing information on a smart tablet. He is pointing at the tablet as he talks. The patient is looking and following along.

Exceptional Treatment for a Healthy Pregnancy.

Gestational Diabetes Care

Here to help to keep you and your baby safe

With help from the ob-gyns, dietitians and other diabetes experts at Novant Health, you can create a self-care plan that keeps you and your baby healthy throughout your pregnancy and delivery. Use our online search tool now to find one near you and make or request an appointment.

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FAQs about gestational diabetes

What is gestational diabetes?

Gestational diabetes occurs when you get hyperglycemia, or unhealthy blood sugar levels, during pregnancy due to changes in hormone levels. These changes result in imbalances that interfere with how your cells work with insulin to remove glucose (a form of sugar) from your bloodstream. The key to having a healthy pregnancy and child is preventing hyperglycemia (high blood sugar).

How likely am I to get gestational diabetes?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, gestational diabetes occurs in roughly two to 10 percent of pregnancies in the United States every year. You are at greater risk if you:

Were diagnosed with gestational diabetes in a previous pregnancy
Have given birth to a baby who weighed more than 9 pounds
Have prediabetes
Are overweight
Are more than 25 years old
Have a family history of Type 2 diabetes
Are African American, Hispanic or Latino, American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander

What are the symptoms of gestational diabetes?

Symptoms you may experience include increased hunger and thirst, frequent urination, nausea and fatigue beyond what you typically experience with pregnancy.

However, many women don't notice any signs of gestational diabetes. That's why it’s so important to get regular checkups during pregnancy. At Novant Health, primary care providers generally test for high blood sugar, or hyperglycemia, in your second trimester of your pregnancy. If your gestational diabetes test comes back positive, your provider may recommend changes to your diet and exercise. If those don’t bring your blood sugar under control, they may prescribe insulin.

How is gestational diabetes different?

With other types of diabetes, your pancreas can't produce enough of the hormone (insulin) your body needs to convert the sugar in your blood (glucose) into energy it needs to make and repair cells and carry out other functions. If you're a mother with gestational diabetes, you may be able to produce enough insulin, but other hormones prevent your cells from using it. Your body becomes “insulin resistant” and you become hyperglycemic, which is to say your glucose levels surpass healthy levels.

How difficult is it to treat gestational diabetes?

Gestational diabetes specialists

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Ob-gyns

If they think you're at risk for gestational diabetes, your ob-gyn may recommend testing for signs of high blood sugar, such as glucose challenge and glucose tolerance tests. Your ob-gyn may refer you to other diabetes specialists for additional testing and preventative counseling if needed.

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Registered dietitians

Changes to your diet and regular exercise can lead to a healthier pregnancy. If you may benefit from working with our registered dietitians and nutritionists at a Novant Health Diabetes & Nutrition clinic, we will work with you with or without a referral from your primary care provider.

Find a Weight Loss Nutritionist

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Endocrinologists

If you are not responding well to treatment, ask your primary care provider if you might benefit from consulting an endocrinologist. These specialists are trained to diagnose and treat hormonal imbalances that can disrupt things like your metabolism, blood pressure and cholesterol.

Find an Endocrinologist

Elements of self-care

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Eat healthy and exercise

You may be able to control your blood sugar levels during pregnancy without taking medications by following a gestational diabetes diet. Your care team may also suggest changes to your exercise regimen and other daily habits based on factors such as your age and overall health.

A provider is performing an ultrasound on a pregnant patient.

Get more frequent checkups.

If you have gestational diabetes, you may need to visit your ob-gyn and other caregivers more often. You'll also have to check your blood sugar levels regularly.

Taking insulin

If you show signs of high blood sugar (hyperglycemia), your provider may prescribe insulin to help you keep it in check. Insulin can be taken by injection or orally.

Potential complications

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Hypertension and swelling

Increased glucose in your bloodstream can damage small blood vessels, making it harder to pump blood through your body. This can cause high blood pressure (hypertension), which can cause your fingers and toes to swell and — on rare occasions — preeclampsia and premature birth.

A nurse takes the blood pressure of a pregnant woman.

Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is a specific type of high blood pressure condition that can damage your liver and kidneys. Swelling in the face and hands, headaches and blurred vision are the most common symptoms, but it can lead to seizures and even stroke during delivery.

A woman is lying in a hospital bed as she is in labor.

Macrosomia

Gestational diabetes can cause macrosomia, a condition which occurs when your baby grows larger than normal in your womb. This can lead to additional discomfort in the final months of pregnancy and increases the likelihood you may need a c-section to deliver your baby.

A pregnant woman is pricking her finger to check blood sugar.

A permanent diabetes diagnosis

While your blood sugar usually returns to normal after your baby is born, about half of women who have gestational diabetes go on to develop type 2 diabetes later in life.

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Higher risk of early delivery

Gestational diabetes is associated with early labor and delivery. Early C-sections may be recommended due to the baby's weight, which can lead to breathing problems in the baby at birth.

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Baby could have low blood sugar

If you take insulin to control your blood sugar during pregnancy, your baby may be at higher risk of hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar. Because hypoglycemia can lead to seizures, the delivery team must monitor your baby’s blood sugar closely for several hour after birth.