Receiving a diabetes diagnosis during pregnancy can be scary, but information is your best tool. Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes first diagnosed during pregnancy and, although it requires care, with proper management you can have a completely healthy pregnancy and baby.
If you are looking for clear answers about what is happening in your body and what to do from now on, you have come to the right place.
What is gestational diabetes
Unlike other types of diabetes, this condition is temporary. It develops when your body cannot produce enough insulin to meet the additional needs of pregnancy.
How does hormonal blocking work?
During pregnancy, the placenta produces hormones that help the baby grow. However, these hormones can also block the action of insulin in the mother's body (insulin resistance).
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In a normal pregnancy, the pancreas works extra to produce more insulin and compensate.
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In gestational diabetes, the pancreas cannot keep up, and blood glucose (sugar) levels rise.
This typically occurs in the second half of pregnancy, between weeks 24 and 28.
Causes of gestational diabetes
The causes of gestational diabetes (during pregnancy) are related to hormonal changes that affect insulin production and action. Some of the main reasons a woman may develop gestational diabetes include:
- Insulin resistance: During pregnancy, the placenta produces hormones that can reduce insulin effectiveness, making blood glucose regulation difficult.
- Genetic factors: Having a family history of diabetes increases the risk of developing gestational diabetes, suggesting a hereditary predisposition.
- Overweight or obesity: Excess body fat hinders insulin action and can cause inflammation that affects glucose metabolism.
- Advanced maternal age: Women over 35 years old are more likely to develop this condition due to natural metabolic changes associated with age.
Diabetes symptoms during pregnancy
In many cases, gestational diabetes does not present obvious symptoms and is only detected through medical exams. However, in some cases, women may experience diabetes symptoms such as:
- Increased thirst and frequent urination due to glucose being eliminated through urine.
- Extreme fatigue or lack of energy, caused by the body's inability to use glucose efficiently.
- Blurred vision, resulting from fluctuating blood sugar levels.
- Nausea or dizziness without an apparent cause, which can be a sign of blood sugar dysregulation.
- Recurrent infections of the skin or urinary tract due to excess glucose in the body, which promotes bacterial growth.
If you notice any of these signs, it is important to consult your doctor as soon as possible.
How is it detected? Values and Tests
Since it often does not present obvious symptoms (although some women notice excessive thirst or extreme fatigue), screening is essential. In Spain and much of Latin America, the O'Sullivan Test is used:
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Screening: You drink a sweet liquid (50g of glucose) and have blood drawn one hour later.
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Confirmation (Long curve): If the first test is high, a longer 3-hour fasting test is done.
Glucose level chart for pregnant women
Knowing normal glucose values is key to controlling gestational diabetes. Here is a reference for the glucose level table in pregnant women:
| Test | Normal Level | Gestational Diabetes |
| Fasting glucose | Less than 92 mg/dL | 92 mg/dL or higher |
| 1 hour after glucose ingestion | Less than 180 mg/d | 180 mg/dL or higher |
|
2 hours after ingestion glucose |
Less than 153 mg/dL | 153 mg/dL or higher |
If values are above normal ranges, the doctor may recommend dietary changes and other treatments.
Treatment: The 3 pillars of control
The good news is that most women manage gestational diabetes without medication, just by adjusting their habits.
1. Strategic Nutrition
Don't eliminate carbohydrates, choose them better.
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Prioritize low glycemic index foods: legumes, leafy green vegetables, and whole grains.
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Order of intake: Eat fiber (salad) and protein first, and leave carbohydrates for last. This reduces the glucose spike.
2. Physical Exercise
Movement is like "natural insulin." Walking briskly for 30 minutes, especially after meals, helps your muscles consume the excess glucose in the blood.
3. Monitoring and Protection
Many expectant mothers choose to use continuous glucose monitors (CGM) to avoid constant finger pricks and have peace of mind about how their body reacts to each meal. However, pregnancy involves more sweating, skin changes, and lots of movement preparing everything.
Since sensors often come off prematurely, the ideal is to protect them with a diabetes sensor patch that ensures the device stays fixed in place, thus avoiding losing important measurements.
Prevention of diabetes during pregnancy
Although unfortunately, it is not always possible to prevent gestational diabetes, there are healthy habits that can reduce the risk of developing it. For example:
- Maintain a healthy weight before and during pregnancy to reduce insulin resistance.
- Follow a balanced diet with fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and complex carbohydrates.
- Exercise regularly, at least 30 minutes daily, to improve insulin sensitivity.
- Regularly monitor blood sugar levels, especially if there is a family history of diabetes.
Take care of your health with Glucody's specialized products
At Glucody, we specialize in offering practical solutions for diabetes management. If you are pregnant and need precise glucose control, we have a variety of products designed to make your daily life easier.
From protectors and patches for glucose sensors, which help keep the device secure and in place, to covers and accessories that offer greater comfort in continuous monitoring, as well as customizing your diabetes devices.
Don't let gestational diabetes affect your well-being. Take control with the right products and follow your doctor's recommendations to ensure a healthy pregnancy.
