What’s your blood sugar number?
The key question to ask if you’re being tested for, or monitoring, gestational diabetes.
Diabetes is a condition where the amount of glucose (a type of sugar) in your blood is too high because your body can’t use it properly. If this happens when you’re pregnant (usually during the second or third trimester), it’s called gestational diabetes. Whether you’re thinking about trying for a baby or are already pregnant, there are things you can do to decrease your chances of getting gestational diabetes or to manage it carefully if you do.
Before you get pregnant:
- stop smoking
- eat a healthy diet that includes recommended amounts of fibre, fruit, vegetables, whole grains, lean meat, and dairy food
- maintain a healthy weight
- lead an active lifestyle.
When you’re pregnant:
- continue to follow a healthy, active lifestyle and balanced diet, as above
- In Canada, most women are tested for gestational diabetes between weeks 24 and 28 of pregnancy in a clinic and using an oral glucose tolerance test.
If you find out you do have gestational diabetes, don’t panic! It can be managed with diet, exercise, and—if needed—medication. Your healthcare providers will come up with a plan that’s tailor-made for you. When your blood glucose is under control, the majority of moms and babies continue to be healthy throughout pregnancy.
Sources
Health Link BC. Gestational Diabetes. Gestational Diabetes | HealthLink BC. Published 2020. Accessed April 2021.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Practice Bulletin: Gestational Diabetes Mellitus. Obstetrics and Gynecology 2013; 406-16.
Crowther CA, Hiller JE, Moss JR et al. Effect of treatment of gestational diabetes mellitus on pregnancy outcomes. Australian Carbohydrate Intolerance Study in Pregnant Women (ACHOIS) Trial Group. N Engl J Med 2005; 352:2477-86.
Hod M, Kapur A, Sacks D et al. The international federation of gynecology and obstetrics (FIGO) initiative on gestational diabetes mellitus: A pragmatic guide for diagnosis, management and care. Int J Gynaecol Obstet 2015; 131:S173-S211.
Landon MB, Spong CY, Thom E et al. A multicenter, randomized trial of treatment for mild gestational diabetes. Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Maternal-Fetal Medicine Units Network. N Engl J Med 2009; 361: 1339-48.
Metzger BE, Gabbe SG, Persson B et al. International association of diabetes and pregnancy study groups recommendations on the diagnosis and classification of hyperglycemia in pregnancy. Diabetes Care 2010; 33:676-82.
Poomalar, GK. Changing trends in the management of gestational diabetes mellitus. World J Diabetes 2015; 6:284-95.
Tobias DK, Zhang C, Chavarro J et al. Prepregnancy adherence to dietary patterns and lower risk of gestational diabetes mellitus. Am J Clin Nutr 2012; 96:289-95.
World Health Organization. Diagnostic criteria and classification of hyperglycemia first detected in pregnancy. World Health Organization 2013.
Zhang C, Tobias D, Chavarro J et al. Adherence to a healthy lifestyle and risk of gestational diabetes mellitus: prospective cohort study. BMJ 2014; 349, g5450 doi:10.1136
Related articles
Food choices for a healthy pregnancy nutrition
Eating for two doesn’t mean eating twice as much food, but it should mean making your food work twice as hard.
5 mins to read
Newborn taste preferences | Did you know?
Babies’ taste preferences start before they are born
1 min to read
Did you know?
Maternal nutrition during pregnancy can influence baby's lifelong health
1 min to read
Pregnancy weight gain
There are many things you can do to prepare for the delivery of a healthy baby. One of the most important things is eating right to gain the extra weight you’ll need to support another life.
1 min to read
Tips to prepare your body for a healthy pregnancy
Did you know? If you’re thinking about starting a family, making small changes to your diet and lifestyle now can have a big impact on your baby-to-be in the future.
2 mins to read
7 simple food swaps to consider before you get pregnant
Eating well now can have a positive impact on your pregnancy, as well as a lasting effect on your baby’s health.
4 mins to read
Did you know?
A mom-to-be does not need to eat for two
1 min to read
Pregnancy and dietary considerations
Pregnancy is exciting, exhilarating and totally different for every woman.
4 mins to read
Tips to help with breastfeeding problems
Breastfeeding is a learned process—by mom and baby—and you may face some challenges in the first few months of breastfeeding.
4 mins to read
How your baby develops
Pregnancy is an exciting time, full of changes and anticipation.
3 mins to read
Planning to breastfeed?
Practical action steps to take before, during, and after birth
5 mins to read
The benefits of breastfeeding
Breastmilk has everything your little one needs to grow*—and offers benefits for you, too.
3 mins to read
Gestational diabetes symptoms
10 essential questions about gestational diabetes answered
6 mins to read
Why fatherhood begins before conception
Did you know? Your partner’s diet and lifestyle can play a vital role in conceiving your future baby.
2 mins to read
How to exercise safely through pregnancy
Why 30 minutes a day can impact a lifetime.
4 mins to read
What to expect at 5 month of pregnancy
Your pregnancy: weeks 18-22. A month of finishing touches for the baby.
3 mins to read
39-weeks pregnant: baby development and diet tips
You might have felt a few contractions already and were wondering if that was “it”. Don’t worry, you won’t miss the start of labour! Read more about the 39th week of pregnancy.
3 mins to read
22-weeks pregnant: baby development and diet tips
If you could look inside, you may see your baby sucking their thumb. It’s nature’s way of getting them ready to breastfeed from birth.
3 mins to read
Your baby growth at 6 month of pregnancy
Your pregnancy: weeks 23 – 27. Your baby develops movements that will later help it take its first whiff of air in the world, inhaling and exhaling amniotic fluid.
3 mins to read
