Gestational diabetes

Gestational diabetes

More than 1% of all pregnant women today get gestational diabetes and the incidence is increasing. Obesity and diabetes in the immediate family increase the chance of gestational diabetes. A healthy diet and frequent blood sugar measurements are important for gestational diabetes.

What is gestational diabetes?

Gestational diabetes is a mild form of diabetes that occurs during pregnancy. When you are pregnant, the need for insulin increases, because the body produces hormones that increase blood sugar. If the body is unable to increase insulin production accordingly or the insulin the body produces works poorly (insulin resistance), the pregnant woman gets gestational diabetes.

Gestational diabetes usually resolves after birth, but approximately 3 in 10 who have had gestational diabetes develop type-2 diabetes later in life.

Risk factors for gestational diabetes

• Overweight (BMI above 27 before pregnancy)

• High blood sugar (up to the limit for diabetes) before pregnancy

• Pregnancy in women over 38 years of age

• Type-1 diabetes or type-2 diabetes in the immediate family

• Gestational diabetes in previous pregnancies

• Immigrant women from Asia, the Middle East and Africa have an increased risk of gestational diabetes due to a high incidence of type-2 diabetes

• Little physical activity

Symptoms of gestational diabetes

• Increased thirst

• Frequent urination

• Frequent urinary tract infections

Gestational diabetes often causes no symptoms, but the doctor will check at the antenatal check-ups to see if you have sugar in your urine. If there is sugar in the urine and the blood sugar is also elevated, you have gestational diabetes. All pregnant women with gestational diabetes go for frequent check-ups and are followed up closely by a doctor/specialist throughout the pregnancy.

Good advice for gestational diabetes

Blood sugar measurement

Frequent blood sugar measurement and strict blood sugar control reduce the risk of complications during pregnancy for both mother and child. There are many different blood glucose meters that are easy to use and require small amounts of blood. Read more about blood sugar measurement here.

Diet

Dietary changes will affect your blood sugar and you should therefore carry out the dietary changes in consultation with your doctor/midwife. General dietary recommendations for gestational diabetes:

Eat small and frequent meals

Sugary foods/drinks should be eaten in limited quantities with a meal

Eat plenty of fibre, preferably choose coarse options where available

Have a moderate fat intake

Eat vegetables every day

A diet rich in proteins, vitamins and minerals is recommended

For general dietary tips during pregnancy, see dietary advice for pregnant women.

Activity

Increased physical activity is good for both mother and foetus. You may be out of breath and hot, but you should start small and rather increase the amount of physical activity gradually if it feels right.

It is important to remember that physical activity lowers the need for insulin, and you must therefore normally eat a little extra or take less insulin in connection with exercise. Regular physical activity regulates blood sugar.

Treatment for gestational diabetes

Dietary changes are the most important treatment for gestational diabetes. For many, dietary changes in addition to increased physical activity are sufficient, but some also have to use insulin in the form of injections.

When should you contact a doctor for gestational diabetes?

• If you are pregnant and have one or more risk factors for gestational diabetes

• If you are pregnant and notice symptoms such as thirst/frequent urination

• If you have gestational diabetes and your blood sugar is poorly controlled

Sources: The Diabetes Association, Norwegian Health Information Technology, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Norwegian Medicines Handbook for Health Personnel, Directorate of Health, Lommelegen.no, Felleskatalogen