Gestational Diabetes During Pregnancy: Facts, Risks, and Solutions
The changes that occur in the body during pregnancy can have several effects, one of which is gestational diabetes. In Indonesia, the reported incidence is relatively low, at around 1.9% to 3.6% of all pregnancies.[1] However, that does not mean you cannot develop it.
What is gestational diabetes, and is it dangerous? Find the answers here!
Understanding Gestational Diabetes

This health condition occurs when an expectant mother is diagnosed with diabetes as a result of her pregnancy. It is different from type 1 diabetes, which is caused by an insufficient amount of insulin. Instead, it is caused by changes that occur in the body during pregnancy.
Is it dangerous? Most women have normal pregnancies and give birth to healthy babies. Even so, there are several health risks you should be aware of:
- The baby’s skin and eyes may appear yellow after birth.
- The baby may grow larger than average, making delivery more difficult.
- Preterm birth, before 37 weeks of pregnancy.
- In serious cases, the fetus may stop developing.
Causes of Gestational Diabetes

During pregnancy, a woman’s body produces placental hormones. These hormones trigger physiological changes in the mother that are necessary to meet the needs of the fetus.[2]
However, these hormones can also make the body resistant to insulin. As a result, glucose builds up in the mother’s blood, causing high blood sugar.
The risk of developing the condition is higher if the mother has any of the following:
- Obesity.
- An unhealthy lifestyle.
- Prediabetes before pregnancy.
- A previous birth of a baby weighing more than 4 kg.
- PCOS.
Diagnosing Gestational Diabetes

A doctor will diagnose this condition after the patient undergoes the initial and follow-up Oral Glucose Tolerance Tests.
During the initial test, the doctor will check the patient’s blood sugar level after she drinks a glucose solution (without fasting beforehand). If the result is 140 mg/dL or higher, the patient will proceed to the follow-up test.
For the follow-up test, the patient will drink a glucose solution after fasting for at least 8 hours. The doctor will check her blood sugar every two or three hours. If two test results show high blood sugar levels, the patient has gestational diabetes.[3]
Symptoms

Symptoms usually appear only when blood sugar levels become very high, and may include:
- Excessive thirst.
- Needing to urinate more often.
- Dry mouth.
- Frequent tiredness and fatigue.
- Itching in the genital area.
- Blurred vision.
Treatment

Can gestational diabetes be cured? Yes, the condition can resolve on its own after childbirth. However, if the mother experiences symptoms that are particularly bothersome, the doctor will provide treatment to help improve her condition.
Treatment for gestational diabetes during pregnancy generally involves making healthier lifestyle changes. In more serious cases, however, the doctor may also recommend medication to improve health more effectively. Here’s what that involves:
1. Limiting Food Choices
The focus of treatment is to lower blood glucose levels, which means limiting the mother’s food choices. This includes:
- Choosing healthier sources of carbohydrates, such as brown rice, whole-wheat bread, sweet potatoes, and oats.
- Reducing the intake of foods and drinks high in sugar, such as soda, syrup, and packaged beverages.
- Choosing healthier, low-salt snacks, such as nuts, yogurt, and fruit.
2. Regular Exercise
Staying active helps maintain a healthy body weight and reduce insulin resistance, making blood sugar easier to control. Therefore, pregnant women are advised to engage in physical activity for at least 30 minutes.[4][5]
3. Medication
If the condition does not improve after one or two weeks of healthier lifestyle changes, the doctor may recommend medication to control blood sugar. This may include tablets such as metformin or insulin injections.[6]
Prevention

Take preventive steps well before trying to conceive. Start by doing the following:
- Avoid unhealthy foods, such as fatty dishes, foods high in sodium or sugar, fried foods, and fast food.
- Exercise for at least 30 minutes a day by walking, cycling, swimming, or going to the gym.
- Maintain a healthy weight. If you are obese, it may be a good idea to follow a healthy diet first.
Gestational diabetes may sound frightening, but with proper care and attention, both mother and fetus can stay healthy until delivery.
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