Overview
Gestational diabetes is high blood sugar that first appears during pregnancy, and it is common in India. It usually causes no symptoms and is picked up on a routine pregnancy sugar test, which is why that test matters. Well controlled with diet and, if needed, medicine, most pregnancies go well; poorly controlled sugar can lead to a large baby and delivery problems. It usually settles after birth, but it signals a higher future risk of type 2 diabetes for the mother.
Symptoms
- Usually no symptoms — found on a routine pregnancy sugar test
- Sometimes increased thirst
- Passing more urine than usual
- Tiredness
- A larger-than-expected baby on scans in some cases
When to see a doctor
Attend all antenatal checks and sugar tests. See your doctor promptly if a test shows high sugar so it can be controlled through the pregnancy.
Causes
Pregnancy hormones that make the body resist insulin; risk rises with overweight, family history of diabetes, older age and previous gestational diabetes.