It is a form of diabetes that affect pregnant women, in the majority of cases blood glucose levels can be managed with regular monitoring and an active healthy lifestyle.

New guidelines in Australia test all pregnant women at 26 weeks duration with a GTT(glucose tolerance test), it will take about 2 hours and you need to make a booking a month in advance. You do NOT have to be on a special diet before the test

Who is at risk?

• If you are over years
• Previous pregnancy with gestational diabetes
• Family history of type 2 or gestational diabetes
• Overweight or obese
• Your heritage: Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, Pacific Islander, Indian sub-continent or Asian background
• Other conditions like PCOS

What will happen?

• Meet a dedicated team with expertise in this area including a diabetic educator and endocrinologist
• Can be managed with a healthy eating plan and regular exercise
• Sometimes insulin injections are required

Any risks to my baby?

• Your baby can be born with low blood sugars and needs to be cared for a nursery
• Slight increased chance of a premature delivery
• Poor sugar control can lead to an increase in size of your baby

What happen after my pregnancy?

• It is estimated that around 30-60% of women with GDM will develop type 2 diabetes within 10 years of childbirth
• You should be screened for diabetes every 2 years
• Maintain the healthy lifestyle that you’ve adopted in pregnancy

There is a saying – diabetes is not a disease, it is a healthy way of living!