Gestational Diabetes: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Achuta Uppu, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Gestational Diabetes?
An obstetrician, a doctor who cares for pregnant women, usually manages gestational diabetes. It is often found through routine prenatal screening. Prenatal screening means checkups during pregnancy. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is gestational diabetes?
Gestational diabetes is high blood sugar (glucose) that starts during pregnancy. Insulin is a hormone made in the pancreas. The pancreas is below and behind the stomach. Insulin is needed to move blood sugar into the body's cells.
Pregnancy hormones can block insulin from doing its job. Usually, these cells keep up with the body's needs. However, in some women, the pancreas cannot make enough insulin. The result is a rise in blood sugar.
Symptoms
Most of the time, there are no symptoms. Mild symptoms may be present, such as:
- Increased thirst or shakiness.
- Increased urination.
- Fatigue.
- Blurred vision.
- Frequent infections of the bladder, vagina, or skin.
These symptoms are usually not dangerous to the pregnant woman, but high blood sugar can still affect the baby.
Causes and who gets it
The causes are complex. Genetic, health, and lifestyle factors all play a part. Some of these factors have not been identified.
You are at greater risk for gestational diabetes if you:
- Are older when you are pregnant, particularly over age 35.
- Belong to a higher risk ethnic group, such as Latino or African American.
- Have a family history of diabetes.
- Gave birth to a baby that weighed more than 9 pounds (4 kg).
- Were overweight before your pregnancy.
- Gain too much weight during your pregnancy.
- Have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a hormonal imbalance.
- Have high blood pressure.
- Had gestational diabetes in a previous pregnancy.
If you are overweight, reaching a normal weight lowers your risk.
How doctors diagnose it
All pregnant women should receive an oral glucose tolerance test (glucose challenge test). It is done between the 24th and 28th week of pregnancy. Women with risk factors may be tested earlier.
Once you are diagnosed, you can check your glucose level at home. The most common way is to prick a finger. You place a drop of blood on a machine that gives a glucose reading.
Treatment
The goals are to keep blood sugar normal. Your growing baby must also stay healthy.
In many cases, healthy eating, staying active, and weight control are all that is needed. A healthy eating plan includes:
- Eat moderate amounts of fat and protein.
- Complex carbohydrates (such as bread, cereal, pasta, and rice), fruits, and vegetables.
- Few foods with a lot of sugar, such as soft drinks, fruit juices, and pastries.
Low-impact exercise is safe. Swimming, brisk walking, and using an elliptical machine are examples. Try walking 1 to 2 miles (1.6 to 3.2 kilometers) at a time, 3 or more times per week.
Your provider should closely check both you and your baby. A nonstress test is a very simple, painless test for you and your baby. An electronic fetal monitor is placed on your abdomen. It hears and displays your baby's heartbeat.
If diet and exercise are not enough, you may need medicine. It can be a pill (oral medicine, taken by mouth) or insulin therapy (shots). If you take insulin or oral medicine, labor may be induced 1 or 2 weeks before your due date. Induced means started by your care team.
After your baby is born, you should be closely followed for signs of diabetes over the next 5 to 10 years. Ask your provider how often you should have your blood sugar checked.
When to see a doctor
Contact your provider if you are pregnant and you have symptoms of diabetes. Contact your provider for the following diabetes-related problems:
- Your baby seems to be moving less in your belly.
- You have blurred vision.
- You're more thirsty than normal.
- You have nausea and vomiting that won't go away.
Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you faint, have confusion or unusual behavior, have trouble breathing, or have a seizure.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. Either one can help review home blood sugar checks. They can also coordinate with your obstetrician.
Common questions
Does gestational diabetes go away after birth?
Often, yes. High blood sugar levels often go back to normal after delivery. Still, many women get diabetes within 5 to 10 years after giving birth.
Does gestational diabetes affect the baby?
Yes. Babies of mothers with gestational diabetes tend to be large. Large babies can cause problems during birth. Babies born to these mothers are also more likely to have dangerously low blood sugar soon after birth.
Is gestational diabetes the same as other diabetes?
No. Affected women do not have diabetes before they are pregnant. Most of them go back to being nondiabetic soon after the baby is born.
Sources
- MedlinePlus - Gestational diabetes
- MedlinePlus - Gestational diabetes self-care
- MedlinePlus Genetics - Gestational diabetes
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
