December 24, 2022
Sometimes your body goes through changes that can make it use insulin less effectively. That’s called insulin resistance. In this case, not enough sugar gets to your cells, and too much stays in your blood. If that happens while you’re pregnant, we call it gestational diabetes. It can affect between two and ten percent of all pregnancies.
Gestational diabetes is associated with high blood pressure in pregnancy, which can further complicate your pregnancy. Having it also increases your likelihood of getting type 2 diabetes in the future.
Gestational diabetes can also affect your baby, increasing the risk that:
• Your baby might get very large. This can make your delivery more difficult, and it might mean you will need a C-section.
• Your baby could be born too early, which can have its own complications.
• Your baby could have low blood sugar and/or could develop type 2 diabetes later in life.
For all these reasons, it’s important to do what you can to reduce your risk of developing gestational diabetes. And you and your doctor should keep an eye on your blood sugar during your pregnancy so that if you do develop gestational diabetes, your doctor can help you manage it.
Gestational diabetes can happen to anyone who is pregnant, but women over the age of 25 who are of African, Asian, Hispanic, Native American, or Pacific Island descent are more likely to get it.
There are many possible reasons for these differences. However, it seems clear that they’re part of a much larger pattern of racial and ethnic health inequities in general, and maternal health inequities in particular. That’s all the more reason for everyone to be well-informed about gestational diabetes.
Gestational diabetes can happen to anyone, but as I’ve said, it’s more common among Black, Hispanic, American Indian, or Asian American individuals. In addition, certain other factors also make it more likely:
• Being overweight or obese
• Not being physically active
• Having prediabetes; having had gestational diabetes in a prior pregnancy; or having an immediate family member who has diabetes
• • Having previously delivered a baby weighing more than nine pound
• Having polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
• Being over the age of 25
• Being born outside the United States
If you have any of these risk factors, it’s important to discuss your risk of gestational diabetes with your doctor.
There’s no way to completely prevent yourself from getting gestational diabetes, but some lifestyle changes can help make it less likely:
• Try to keep your daily carbohydrates in a healthy range.
• Eat a high-fiber diet containing lots of whole grains, green vegetables, nuts, and beans, which can help keep your blood sugar from spiking.
• Get regular exercise. It helps reduce your blood sugar levels. Resistance training is a good approach. (You should talk to your doctor before starting a new fitness regimen.)
• Get good sleep. There’s evidence that not getting enough sleep can raise a person’s diabetes risk.
There are some warning signs you might notice if you’re developing gestational diabetes:
• Feeling unusually thirsty
• Having a dry mouth
• Being more tired than normal
But many pregnant people have these symptoms without having gestational diabetes. And not every pregnant person with gestational diabetes has them. Your doctor can help provide some clarity by giving you a blood glucose test between your 24th and 28th week of pregnancy. This is part of normal prenatal screening. If the test shows your blood sugar is too high, you will have to take an additional three-hour diagnostic test to confirm that you do have gestational diabetes.
If you notice any sudden changes in how you feel during your pregnancy, always check with your doctor. It could be something totally normal…or it could be a warning sign that there’s a problem. And it’s much better to catch problems sooner than later.
If your doctor tells you that you have gestational diabetes, don’t panic! But DO work with your doctor to keep it under control.
Usually your doctor will encourage you to modify your diet and get more exercise. In other words, the same things that help prevent gestational diabetes can also help stop it from harming your health, or your baby’s.
Your doctor may also recommend daily blood sugar testing and insulin injections. Both are completely safe for your pregnancy and will help make sure your blood sugar doesn’t get out of control.
Once you’ve had your baby, breastfeeding can help reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes post pregnancy.
IBX is committed to supporting its members throughout their pregnancies. (And at all other times as well!) I highly recommend you take advantage of IBX’s free Baby BluePrints® Maternity Program , which provides personal support throughout your pregnancy and after giving birth. Nurses who specialize in pregnancy-related care are available by phone 24/7/365. They can help you with any questions or complications you may experience.
And IBX is working with Cayaba Care and Cocolife.black to help support pregnant people who may be struggling to access high-quality care because of racial and ethnic health inequities.
For members who need to do blood sugar testing, IBX offers advanced blood glucose meters, unlimited test strips and lancets, real-time support for out-of-range readings, and personalized tips, action plans, and coaching through Livongo.
So please take advantage of whichever services will best help you take care of yourself.
I’d like to personally wish you a safe and healthy pregnancy, delivery, and parenthood.
This content was originally published on IBX Insights.
Dr. Seun Ross is the Executive Director of Health Equity in the Quality Management department at Independence Blue Cross. Dr. Ross earned a bachelor of nursing and a master of science degree from Coppin State University and a doctoral degree in nursing practice with a focus on organizational leadership from Chatham University. In her clinical work as a family nurse practitioner, she has focused on achieving population health. She is an ardent proponent of health equity and is committed to achieving health justice for all vulnerable populations.
