Diabetes in pregnancy – also known as gestational diabetes – refers to high blood sugar (glucose), which develops in pregnancy. It can happen during any stage of pregnancy but is more common in the second and third trimester1. It affects women who don’t already have another type of diabetes2, and usually disappears after you’ve given birth.
It’s the most common medical condition to affect pregnant women, occurring in 10-20% of pregnancies in England3.
With proper management, most women with gestational diabetes go on to have healthy pregnancies and healthy babies4.
Why does it happen?
During pregnancy, your placenta produces hormones that can lead to an increase in blood sugar levels. Usually, the body can produce more insulin to handle this increase, but in some cases, it doesn't – resulting in gestational diabetes.
How can it affect my pregnancy?
Occasionally gestational diabetes can lead to complications in pregnancy or during birth, especially if it goes unrecognised or isn’t well controlled4.
Complications can include:
- Your baby growing larger than usual (macrosomia) – this increases the likelihood of an induced labour or a caesarean section. It also increases the chance of difficulties during labour, such as shoulder dystocia (where your baby’s shoulder gets stuck).
- Premature birth – giving birth before 37 weeks.
- Pre-eclampsia – a condition that causes high blood pressure during pregnancy and can lead to pregnancy complications if not treated.
- Polyhydramnios – too much amniotic fluid (the fluid that surrounds the baby) in the womb, which can cause premature labour or problems at delivery.
- Your baby developing low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia) or yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice) after birth, which may require treatment in hospital.
- Your baby may need additional care once they’ve been born, possibly in a neonatal unit4.
- Increased risk of miscarriage.
- The loss of your baby (stillbirth) – though this is rare1.
- Elevated blood sugar levels can affect your immune system, which can make it more challenging for your body to fight off infections. For example, you might be more susceptible to UTIs, vaginal infections and skin infections.
- An increased risk of having gestational diabetes in future pregnancies (more than one in three women will get gestational diabetes again4) and developing type 2 diabetes in the future.
- Later in life, your baby may have a higher risk of being overweight or obese, and developing type 2 diabetes. As your child grows, managing their weight, eating healthily and being physically active will reduce this risk.
Read more > Diabetes in children
Working closely with your healthcare team to keep blood sugar levels within your target range will lower the chance of these complications and increase your chances of a healthy pregnancy and baby. This can include making dietary changes, physical activity, and sometimes taking medication.