Gestational Diabetes Mellitus, Self-Care
When you have gestational diabetes mellitus, you must make sure your blood sugar (glucose) stays at a healthy level. To care for yourself, you may need to:
Your health care provider will set treatment goals for you.
What are the risks?
If you do not get treated for this condition, it may cause problems for you and your unborn baby.
For the mother
Pregnant people who get gestational diabetes are more likely to:
Give birth early.
Have a difficult labor and birth if the baby is larger than normal.
Have surgery to deliver the baby.
Have high blood pressure and preeclampsia.
Get it again if they become pregnant.
Develop type 2 diabetes in the future.
For the baby
Gestational diabetes that is not treated can cause the baby to have:
Checking your blood sugar
Check your blood sugar every day while you're pregnant, or as often as told.
In general, your blood sugar levels should be:
95 mg/dL (5.3 mmol/L) or less when fasting.
140 mg/dL (7.8 mmol/L) or less 1 hour after a meal.
120 mg/dL (6.7 mmol/L) or less 2 hours after a meal.
Follow these instructions at home:
Medicines
Eating and drinking
Activity
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Do 30 minutes or more of physical activity a day, or as told by your provider. It may help to control blood sugar levels after a meal.
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Talk with your provider before you start a new exercise. Your provider may tell you to change your insulin, other medicines, or food as you exercise.
General instructions
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Stay at a healthy weight while you're pregnant. Your weight gain during pregnancy depends on your weight before pregnancy.
- Share your diabetes care plan with:
- Check your pee for ketones when you're sick and as told.
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Carry a card or wear a bracelet that says you have diabetes.
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Keep all follow-up visits. Your provider needs to check your health and your baby's growth.
Get care after delivery
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Have your blood sugar level checked with an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) 4–12 weeks after delivery.
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Get screened for diabetes every 3 years, or as often as told by your provider.
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
cdc.gov
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Contact a health care provider if:
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Your blood sugar is above your target for two tests in a row.
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You have a high blood sugar level and you also have ketones in your pee.
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You've been sick or have had a fever for 2 days or more and aren't getting better.
- You have any of these problems for more than 6 hours:
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You become confused or cannot think clearly.
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You have trouble breathing.
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You have chest pain.
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Your baby is moving less than usual.
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You have abnormal discharge or bleeding from your vagina.
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You have cramping in your belly or have pain in your hips or lower back.
- You have symptoms of high blood pressure or preeclampsia. These include:
A severe, throbbing headache that doesn't go away.
Sudden or extreme swelling of your face, hands, legs, or feet.
- Vision problems, such as:
Seeing spots.
Blurry vision.
Sensitivity to light.
These symptoms may be an emergency. Get help right away. Call 911.
This information is not intended to replace advice given to you by your health care provider. Make sure you discuss any questions you have with your health care provider.