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Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staffFor most women, gestational diabetes doesn't cause noticeable signs or symptoms. Rarely, gestational diabetes may cause excessive thirst or increased urination.
When to see a doctor
If possible, seek health care early — when you first think about trying to get pregnant — so your doctor can evaluate your risk of gestational diabetes. Once you become pregnant, your doctor will address gestational diabetes as part of your regular prenatal care. If you develop gestational diabetes, you may need more frequent checkups. These are most likely to occur during the last three months of pregnancy, when your doctor will carefully monitor your blood sugar level. In addition, your doctor may refer you to other health professionals who specialize in diabetes management, such as an endocrinologist, a registered dietitian or a diabetes educator. They can help you learn to manage your blood sugar level during your pregnancy.
To make sure that your blood sugar level has returned to normal after your baby is born, your blood sugar will be checked often right after delivery and again in six weeks. Once you've had gestational diabetes, it's a good idea to have your blood sugar level tested regularly. The frequency of blood sugar level tests will in part depend on your test results soon after you deliver your baby.
- Strehlow SL, et al. Diabetes mellitus & pregnancy. In: DeCherney AH, et al. Current Diagnosis & Treatment: Obstetrics & Gynecology. 10th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill; 2007. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2385290. Accessed Jan. 9, 2009.
- Jovanovic L. Screening and diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 5, 2009.
- Jovanovic L. Treatment and course of gestational diabetes mellitus. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 9, 2009.
- Diabetes. In: Cunningham FG, et al. Williams Obstetrics. 22nd ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill; 2005:1172.
- Cheng YV, et al. Gestational weight gain and gestational diabetes mellitus. Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2008;112:1015.
- Gestational diabetes. American Diabetes Association. http://www.diabetes.org/gestational-diabetes.jsp. Accessed Jan. 6, 2009.
- Gilmartin AH, et al. Gestational diabetes mellitus. Reviews in Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2008;1:129. http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?tool=pubmed&pubmedid=19015764. Accessed Jan. 3, 2009.
