Gestational diabetes is diabetes that is diagnosed in pregnancy. If you have gestational diabetes, your body is not making and using all of the insulin you need for pregnancy, causing your glucose (blood sugar) to buildup in your bloodstream.
Although a relatively common condition, gestational diabetes can cause complications. Your Rush obstetric provider will closely monitor your pregnancy and suggest a treatment that's right for you.
What You Should Know About Gestational Diabetes
- A family history of diabetes puts you at a higher risk of developing gestational diabetes.
- Gestational diabetes typically develops later in pregnancy, when the baby’s body has formed but is still growing.
- There are usually no symptoms with gestational diabetes. The only way to diagnose gestational diabetes is with testing done between the 24th and 28th weeks of pregnancy.
- Gestational diabetes is associated with preterm labor, preeclampsia (high blood pressure) and health problems for your baby.
Gestational Diabetes Testing and Treatment at Rush
Since there are usually no symptoms of gestational diabetes, testing is an important part of your prenatal care. Your Rush OB-GYN or obstetric provider will use a glucose challenge test to measure how your body responds to sugar. If your test results show above normal sugar levels, you’ll need to come back for more testing and possibly a diagnosis.
Treatment for gestational diabetes varies by pregnancy and your OB-GYN will personalize your treatment to your lifestyle and health needs. You care plan could include the following:
- Knowing and monitoring your blood sugar (glucose) levels
- Eating a healthy diet
- Exercising or keeping physically active
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Taking insulin or other medications
Gestational diabetes typically disappears after delivery, but you will be at higher risk of developing it again if you have future pregnancies. You are also at a greater risk of developing type II diabetes if you have had gestational diabetes.
Rush Excellence in Gestational Diabetes Care
- Nationally ranked care: U.S. News & World Report ranked Rush University Medical Center among the best in the nation for gynecology and endocrinology.
- Expert care for high-risk pregnancy and delivery: Rush offers a team of maternal-fetal medicine doctors who completed special training to care for high-risk pregnancies, including those with gestational diabetes. Our Family Birth Centers, at Rush University Medical Center and Rush Copley Medical Center, also have resources to care for the unique needs of high-risk pregnancies.
- Nationally recognized diabetes care: If you have type II diabetes and are pregnant, your OB-GYN may refer you to our Rush University Diabetes Center, Rush Oak Park Hospital Diabetes and Endocrine Center or Rush Copley Diabetes Education Center. These centers include teams of endocrinologists, nurses and dietitians who specialize in caring for people with diabetes. In partnership with your OB-GYN, center experts will suggest healthy meal plans, physical activity and other ways you can take an active role in your care and treatment during pregnancy and beyond. The American Diabetes Association awarded its Education Recognition Certificate to these centers for their high-quality education and patient care.
- Highest level of NICU: If you’re expecting a complicated delivery or your baby has health concerns, you’ll want the best in care when your baby arrives. Our level III neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) are part of our Family Birth Centers in Chicago and Aurora, so care is close by when seconds count.