With expert support, gestational diabetes is highly manageable. At MU Health Care, our team works with you to monitor your health, protect your baby and support you through every step of your pregnancy.
Gestational diabetes happens when your body is unable to produce enough insulin to regulate blood sugar during pregnancy. It’s a relatively common condition and usually goes away after childbirth.
While the exact cause isn’t fully understood, factors like excess weight or a family history of diabetes can increase your risk.
At MU Health Care, we focus on early detection and personalized care to help you manage gestational diabetes with confidence. Our team will create a plan tailored to your needs, so you can feel supported and confident in your and your baby’s health throughout your pregnancy and birth.
What Does Gestational Diabetes Feel Like?
Gestational diabetes affects everyone differently. You may not have any symptoms, or you might experience:
- Increased thirst
- Frequent urination
- Unusual fatigue, even with enough rest
- Blurred vision
When to Seek Care for Gestational Diabetes
Because symptoms aren’t always obvious, routine prenatal checkups are the best way to detect gestational diabetes early. Most women find out they have it through routine screening.
However, if you experience severe nausea and vomiting, excessive thirst, frequent urination, blurred vision or unexplained weight loss, contact your doctor right away. These could be signs of uncontrolled gestational diabetes and may require immediate care.
Causes of Gestational Diabetes
The exact cause of gestational diabetes isn’t fully known, but pregnancy hormones can interfere with insulin, making it harder for your body to regulate blood sugar. This can lead to higher-than-normal blood sugar levels.
Several factors may increase your risk of gestational diabetes, including:
- Being overweight before pregnancy
- A family history of diabetes
- Being over the age of 25 and of South or East Asian, Hispanic, Native American or Pacific Island descent, as these groups are at higher risk
- Having had gestational diabetes before
- Having polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
How Does Gestational Diabetes Affect My Baby?
If you have gestational diabetes, your baby may have a higher risk of:
- A higher birth weight, which can make delivery more challenging
- Breathing problems at birth
- Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), which in some cases can cause seizures
- A higher chance of obesity and cardiovascular disease later in life
- Being born prematurely
- Developing Type 2 diabetes down the road
The good news is our team is here to support you. We’ll assess your risk factors and help you manage gestational diabetes throughout your pregnancy.
How We Diagnose Gestational Diabetes
At MU Health Care, we take the time to understand your medical history and symptoms before making a diagnosis.
If you’re at an average risk, we screen for gestational diabetes between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy. If you’re at higher risk, we may test earlier, often at your first prenatal visit.
Your screening includes:
- Initial glucose screening test: You'll drink a sweet glucose solution, and after an hour, we’ll check your blood sugar.
- Follow-up glucose tolerance test: If your first test shows higher-than-normal levels, we’ll do a second test with a more concentrated glucose drink and take blood samples over two to three hours to see how your body processes sugar.
The initial test is designed to catch potential cases, so a high result doesn’t always mean you have gestational diabetes.
If follow-up testing confirms gestational diabetes, we’ll work with you to create a personalized plan to keep you and your baby healthy.
How We Treat Gestational Diabetes
At MU Health Care, we specialize in early intervention and coordinated care to manage gestational diabetes safely.
Our maternal fetal medicine specialists, obstetricians, endocrinologists and dietitians work together to create a plan tailored to your needs.
Your treatment plan may include:
- Regular blood sugar monitoring: Helps detect changes early and prevent complications.
- Personalized nutrition support: Our dietitians help you plan meals that keep blood sugar levels stable.
- Gentle movement: Light activities, like walking or prenatal yoga, can help you maintain healthy blood sugar levels.
- Frequent checkups: Regular monitoring helps keep you and your baby healthy. We’ll also do additional ultrasounds to track your baby’s growth.
- Medication: If lifestyle changes aren’t enough, our care team may prescribe insulin or other medications.
Will I Need a C-Section if I Have Gestational Diabetes?
Having gestational diabetes doesn’t always mean you’ll need to be induced or have a C-section when it’s time to deliver your baby. Many women can have a vaginal delivery with careful monitoring and the right care.
We’ll track your pregnancy closely and adjust your treatment plan as needed.
Why Choose MU Health Care for Gestational Diabetes Care
- Mid-Missouri’s Only Maternal Fetal Care Center: MU Health Care’s maternal fetal medicine experts are experienced in caring for the most complex pregnancies. Our center is home to multiple experts working together to providing expert, personalized care for expectant mothers.
- Complete women’s health services: From high-risk pregnancy care to fertility treatments and minimally invasive gynecological surgeries, we offer everything you need in one place.
