2. What is
gestational
diabetes?
•A type of
diabetes that
women get
during
pregnancy.
• Pregnancy
hormones can
block insulin
from doing its
job.
3. Insulin
A hormone that lowers the level of glucose in the
blood.
Made by the beta cells of the pancreas and released
into the blood when the glucose level goes up.
4. Who is affected?
Women during pregnancy
1 in 5 pregnant women have gestational diabetes
More common in pregnant women over the age of 25
More likely in Hispanic, Black, Native American, or
Asian women
More likely in overweight/obese mothers
The child can also be affected
5. Causes
Older than 25 when you are pregnant
Gave birth to a baby that weighed more than 9 pounds
Baby has a birth defect
High blood pressure
Too much amniotic fluid
Previous unexplained miscarriage or stillbirth
Overweight before pregnancy
Family history of diabetes
6. Symptoms
Usually there are no symptoms, or the symptoms are
very mild. However symptoms may include:
-Blurred vision
-Fatigue
-Frequent infections, including those of the
bladder, vagina, and skin
-Increased thirst
-Increased urination
-Nausea and vomiting
-Weight loss despite increased appetite
7. How do you KNOW?
Usually starts about halfway through pregnancy
All pregnant women should receive an oral glucose
tolerance test
-Oral glucose tolerance test: laboratory method to
check how the body breaks down (metabolizes)
sugar.
Once diagnosed, test glucose at home by pricking your
finger with a glucose reading machine.
8. Monitoring Blood Sugar Levels
The goal of monitoring is to keep your blood
sugar as close to normal as possible.
These ranges include:
Time of Test Target Blood Sugar Reading
Before Breakfast Plasma: below 105. Whole blood: below 95
2 Hours after Meals Plasma: below 95. Whole blood: below 120
9. Treatment
Watching your Baby Diet and Exercise
-check size and health of -eat a well planned diet
baby through ultrasound to have the right balance
and nonstress tests of proteins, fats, and
-nonstress test: machine carbs
hears and displays baby’s -exercise allows your
heart rate and compares body to use glucose
pattern of heartbeat to without extra insulin
movements
10. Expectations
Most are able to control the disease and avoid harm to
themselves and their baby
Larger babies at birth
Birth injury because of large size
Delivery by c-section
Baby is more likely to have hypoglycemia (periods of
low blood sugar) during the first few days of life
11. How will it affect your baby?
If your baby is too overweight, it can lead to
macrosomia
-macrosomia: “big baby syndrome”; fetus is
abnormally large
Overweight in childhood and adulthood
Chances if jaundice are increased
12. Complications
Delivery-related complications due to the infant's large
size
Development of diabetes later in life
Increased risk of newborn death and stillbirth
Low blood sugar or illness in the newborn
13. Prevention
Beginning prenatal care
Knowing the risk factors
Prenatal screening at 24-28 weeks pregnant
Losing weight before getting pregnant
14. Nutrition Basics for Women with Gestational
Diabetes
•3 small meals and 2-3
small snacks
•Less carbs at breakfast
•Choose foods high in
fiber
•Choose foods with less
sugar and fat
•Drink 8 cups of liquid
per day
•Get enough vitamins
and minerals
15. Sources
Storck, S. (2011, October 12). Gestational diabetes: Glucose intolerance during pregnancy.
Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001898
Definition of Insulin. (2010, July 25). Retrieved from
http://www.babycenter.com/0_gestationaldiabetes_2058.bc
Health and Pregnancy. Gestational diabetes- Treatment Overview. (2011, March 7)
Retrieved from http://www.webmd.com/baby/tc/gestational-diabetes-treatment-
overview
Marin, Lucian (2008,November) Retrieved from http://fatbabies.wordpress.com/
Kassir, Kari (2011, September) Macrosomia. Retrieved from
http://pediatrics.med.nyu.edu/conditions-we-treat/conditions/macrosomia
Wooley, Elizabeth (2001, November 1) Nutritional Basics for Women with Gestational
Diabetes. Retrieved from http://www.diabeticmommy.com/34-gestational-diabetes-
diet.html
WebMD (2005-2012) Pregnancy and Gestational Diabetes. Retrieved from
http://diabetes.webmd.com/guide/gestational_diabetes?page=3
American Diabetes Association (1995-2012) Gestational Diabetes. Retrieved from
http://www.diabetes.org/diabetesbasics/gestational/?cr=redcpcggfreeinformationgestati
onal&gclid=CPToudaCt64CFQpU7AodfV2enw