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Are You at Risk for Gestational Diabetes?
Pregnancy is an exciting and life-changing journey, but it also has its fair share of health challenges, like gestational diabetes. Each year, between 2% and 10% of pregnant women develop this condition, and about half of them go on to develop Type 2 diabetes.
With early detection and proper care, you can have a healthy pregnancy and baby, even with gestational diabetes.
At the office of A. Michael Coppa, M.D., our skilled and compassionate OB.GYN has delivered thousands of babies and specializes in high-risk obstetrics. In honor of National Diabetes Awareness Month, we’re sharing what to know about gestational diabetes, who’s at risk, and how you can protect yourself and your baby’s health.
About gestational diabetes
Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that develops only during pregnancy, typically around the 24th week. It happens when your body can’t make enough insulin to keep blood sugar within a normal range.
When blood sugars run too high, it can affect you and your baby’s health. It increases your risk of preeclampsia (high blood pressure during pregnancy) and can cause the baby to grow too large, which may lead to a Cesarean-section (C-section) delivery.
It’s believed that pregnancy hormones, genetics, and lifestyle all play a role in the development of gestational diabetes.
Who’s at risk?
Gestational diabetes can affect any pregnant person. However, some factors increase risk, such as:
- Being overweight or obese
- Having had gestational diabetes in a previous pregnancy
- A family history of diabetes
- Having polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
- Having high blood pressure or prediabetes
The more risk factors you have, the more likely you are to develop gestational diabetes, making early screening important.
How we test for gestational diabetes
We screen all pregnant women for gestational diabetes between the 24th and 28th week of pregnancy.
At the first test, you drink a sugary liquid and your blood glucose is measured an hour later. If your blood sugar level is higher than normal, we follow up with a glucose tolerance test with a more concentrated glucose solution. We then test your blood glucose every hour for a period of three hours.
If two or more readings are higher than normal, it means you have gestational diabetes.
How to lower your risk
Whether you’re planning to get pregnant or already expecting, healthy lifestyle habits can help lower your risk of gestational diabetes.
Eat a balanced diet
Good nutrition is the foundation of a healthy pregnancy. Focus on whole, nutrient-rich foods such as:
- Fruits and vegetables
- Whole grains
- Lean proteins
- Healthy fats
- Calcium-rich foods
Making these changes before pregnancy can improve your overall health and reduce the risk of complications later on.
Move more
Regular exercise helps burn off sugar, thereby improving blood sugar levels. Getting 30 minutes of regular exercise five days a week is ideal, but any movement helps. Take short walks during the day, use the stairs whenever possible, and stretch when watching TV. Small actions add up.
Maintain a healthy weight
If you’re overweight, losing weight before conception can lower your risk of gestational diabetes. During pregnancy, healthy weight gain through balanced eating and regular activity supports both your health and your baby’s development.
Pregnancy is transformative and sometimes stressful. Having a supportive, experienced care team can make all the difference. If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, Dr. Michael A. Coppa can guide you every step of the way.
Call us today or request an appointment online. We have offices in Cranston, Smithfield, and Providence, Rhode Island.
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