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Gestational Diabetes
Gestational diabetes is high blood sugar first found during pregnancy. It usually settles after delivery but needs good control to protect mother and baby.
Causes & risk factors
- Pregnancy hormones that increase insulin resistance
- Being overweight before pregnancy
- Family history of diabetes
- Older maternal age or PCOS
- A previous large baby or previous gestational diabetes
Common symptoms
- Usually no symptoms — found on routine testing
- Increased urination
- Tiredness
- Increased thirst
Tests & diagnosis
- Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT)
- Fasting blood sugar
- HbA1c
- Home blood-sugar monitoring
Treatment & management
- A healthy, balanced pregnancy diet with controlled carbohydrates
- Regular gentle physical activity as advised
- Home blood-sugar monitoring
- Insulin or safe medicines if diet is not enough
- Extra monitoring of the baby, and a glucose check after delivery
When to see a doctor urgently
- A high blood-sugar reading during pregnancy
- Reduced baby movements — urgent
- Very high thirst, urination or blurred vision
- A follow-up test after delivery to check for lasting diabetes
Not a diagnosis. MedDroid gives general educational information about gestational diabetes. It cannot examine you, diagnose or prescribe — always confirm with a qualified doctor.
Frequently asked questions
Will gestational diabetes go away after delivery?
Usually blood sugar returns to normal after birth, but it raises the future risk of type 2 diabetes, so a follow-up test and healthy lifestyle are important.
Can it harm the baby?
Uncontrolled sugar can lead to a large baby and delivery problems, but with good control most pregnancies go well. Regular monitoring keeps mother and baby safe.
Explore more
Sources & further reading
- World Health Organization (WHO)
- MedlinePlus — U.S. National Library of Medicine
- Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, India
- Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)
Reviewed by Dr. Sanjay Anbu, MBBS. MedDroid is an AI medical assistant and can make mistakes. It provides general health information, not a diagnosis or medical advice — always consult a qualified clinician. In an emergency, contact your local emergency number immediately.