What contributes to gestational diabetes?

Question

I know I’m at risk because of my age and I’m getting the test in 4 weeks. I’m wondering if anyone knows (other than hormonal production and age factors out of our control), is there anything else that contributes to GD? I have been eating a lot of carbs between baked goods and lots of fruit and bread. It just seems to be what I digest better since I’ve had nausea in pregnancy. I’ve never had blood sugar high in the past, but I’m worried that this sugar-heavy diet could be contributing to GD in pregnancy. I’m worried if I get GD I could have complications or need to get induced early. Does anyone know if there’s anything I can do to help improve my blood sugar levels in pregnancy? Or anything that can make them worse? Is it just diet?

Answer

I wouldn’t diet or eat a certain way unless you are told to. I get where you’re coming from but you could just end up adding unnecessary stress onto yourself

Answer

There is absolutely nothing you can do to get GD. It has to do with the placenta. I had it with my first and not my second pregnancy. It honestly wasn’t a big deal but I also ensured that I follows the diet strictly. Our son was born on his due date (water broke naturally) at 6lbs 4.5oz.

Answer

You could carb count and only drink water every day and still get GD. Eating sugary foods don’t increase the risk of GD. Don’t stress or worry unless your doctor says otherwise.

Answer

Gestational diabetes usually happens because of insulin resistance - hormones produced by the placenta (estrogen, cortisol, and lactogen) essentially can make your insulin less effective. As the placenta gets bigger, production of these hormones increases, which is why it tends to develop in the second half of pregnancy. If you have a level of insulin resistance before the pregnancy due to conditions like PCOS or pre-diabetes you can be more at risk. Also the older we get, the less pancreatic function we have (even in healthy individuals), and the pancreas attempts to overcome insulin resistance by making more insulin - so that’s why age is a risk factor since you may have less insulin production at baseline and less ability to adapt to produce extra when needed in pregnancy. Diet does not cause it, though if you get diagnosed, it can be used to manage it. And if diagnosed, high carbohydrate eating can exacerbate it. I really wouldn’t make any changes other than normal balanced eating for pregnancy unless you get diagnosed and given specific dietary recommendations at that time.

Answer

I had no issue until my 3rd pregnancy then ended up getting GD. I was able to stay diet controlled thru my pregnancy. After having her everything went back to normal haven’t had any issues since. But doctor did tell me if I was to get pregnant again I would more than likely have GD again.

Answer

If you didn’t have high sugars in the past you should be okay. I had PCOS ( insulin resistance ) so my sugars were high not diabetic but high I did develop GD and had to use insulin the last 2 months of my pregnancy. I was induced but we knew that cause I considered high risk cause of my age. Don’t stress yourself out over it I say because I was the same way and my baby and I are fine 🙏🏼

What contributes to gestational diabetes?

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