The truth about Gestational Diabetes

Woman in pink dress stands in the garden holding her pregnant stomach

A diagnosis of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) in pregnancy can cause fear, disappointment, and confusion for women, and can change the way they imagined their pregnancy journey. But with a healthy diet and regular movement, women with GDM can experience a healthy pregnancy, birth, and baby.

What is GDM and who is at risk?

GDM is a type of diabetes that occurs only during pregnancy. Like Type 2 Diabetes, GDM is when your body does not make enough insulin or can’t use the insulin made to keep your blood sugar levels (or blood glucose levels) stable. Essentially it means there is too much sugar floating around your blood stream. As the hormones from the placenta in pregnancy can block the mother’s insulin, GDM can happen to anyone, and currently 1 in 7 Australian women have GDM in pregnancy.

Women are more likely to get GDM if they:

Have prediabetes or Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Are living with overweight or obesity
Are physically inactive
Are an older mother (especially 30 years or over)
Have had gastric bypass or other weight-loss surgery
Are from First Nations, African, Melanesian, Polynesian, South Asian, Chinese, Southeast Asian, Middle Eastern, Hispanic, and South American backgrounds.

What are the risk factors for GDM?

GDM does carry risks during pregnancy, labour and beyond. GDM can cause pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia and high blood pressure, and women with GDM are more likely to have babies who are large for gestational age. Giving birth to a large baby can cause labour complications, such as increased risk of pre-term birth, Caesarean-section (C-section) or stillbirth.

A further concern with GDM is the long-term impacts. Women with GDM are at higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes later in life, as well as increased risk of high blood pressure or hyperlipidaemia and cardiovascular disease.

A GDM diagnosis is not your fault. If you currently have GDM, or have had GDM in a past pregnancy, there are lots of things you can do that will improve your health.

Pregnant woman has her blood pressure checked by a medical professional

Ways to reduce your health risks after GDM

Breastfeed

Breastfeeding is a ready-to-use, convenient and free way to feed your infant but it is also a way to protect them and you from risk of chronic diseases later in life, including future Type 2 diabetes. It can also help you reduce the future risk of high blood pressure, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, osteoporosis, and arthritis.

Breastfeeding can also reduce your baby’s risk of developing Type 1 Diabetes, and reduce illnesses such as asthma, eczema, ear infections and other common childhood health problems. No infant formula can do all of these things!

Any breastfeeding is better than none, however the longer you can breastfeed, the better for you and your baby (and wallet!). To prepare yourself for breastfeeding success, watch and read as many evidence-based videos, podcasts and resources that you can whilst pregnant, so you have the knowledge and confidence when your baby arrives. Talk to your partner and your midwife to make sure you have supports in place for unexpected difficulties.

The Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA) offers excellent videos and free support.

Stay active and move regularly

Regular physical activity, such as going for a daily walk, can help manage blood sugar levels, keep your body fit to prepare for birth and help you to achieve healthy pregnancy weight gain. The type of physical activity you should do in pregnancy is similar to the general population, however, some exercise might need to be adapted depending on your stage of pregnancy.

Post-pregnancy, regular exercise or movement can help protect you from developing GDM in future pregnancies and have a positive impact on your mental health.

Regardless of whether you are pregnant or post-pregnancy, if you are inspired to take up a new activity, build up the distance or time steadily to reduce risk of injury or complications.

Pregnant woman does a home workout in her living room, raising a ball above her head while lunging

Eat healthy food

Healthy eating during pregnancy is an important part of looking after your body, especially if you have GDM. Eating the recommended 5 serves of vegetables and 2 serves of fruit each day will help provide your body with everything it needs to support a growing baby or manage caring for a newborn!

Eating a variety of colourful fruits and vegetables, or ‘eating the rainbow’ across the week, will support a healthy gut microbiome (for you and your baby) while keeping meals interesting each day.

When you have GDM, there is often a closer focus on the carbohydrates (or carbs) you eat, particularly the type, amount and frequency.

Choose carbohydrates that are considered ‘whole’ foods, such as rice, pasta, potatoes, oats, bran, or milk as well as those that are high fibre, such as wholegrain cereals or seeded and grainy breads.
Spread your carbohydrates across your main meals. Whether you need snacks between meals will depend on your level of activity or movement each day.
Everyone is different when it comes to portion sizes, so talking to an accredited practicing dietitian will be the best way to receive advice for your food and nutrition needs.

Pregnant woman sits in living room eating a bowl of fruit

Get support

If you are currently pregnant and have been diagnosed with GDM, ask your midwife about supportive programs you can access to help give you the confidence and knowledge to have the healthiest pregnancy possible.

If you have had GDM in the past and would like to improve your health, check out our prevention programs page. For all women post-GDM, My Health For Life offers free telephone coaching towards better health.

Sources

American Diabetes Association (2024). Breastfeeding and Diabetes. https://diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/pregnancy/diabetes-breastfeeding. (Accessed 7 October, 2024).
Diabetes Australia (2024). Gestational diabetes. https://www.diabetesaustralia.com.au/about-diabetes/gestational-diabetes/ (Accessed 10 October, 2024).
Mayo Clinic (9 April, 2022). Gestational diabetes. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gestational-diabetes/symptoms-causes/syc-20355339. (Accessed 10 October, 2024).
National Health Service (2022). Overview: Gestational Diabetes. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/gestational-diabetes/. (Accessed 7 October, 2024).
Pace, R., Brazeau, A. S., Meltzer, S., Rahme, E. & Dasgupta, K. Conjoint associations of gestational diabetes and hypertension with diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease in parents: A retrospective cohort study. Am. J. Epidemiol. 186, 1115–1124 (2017)