Gestational Diabetes

You’re pregnant and excited about the new addition in your life. But your doctor has told you that you have gestational diabetes and need treatment for the condition. What is gestational diabetes, why did you develop it, and what are its long-term effects on you and your baby?

Gestational diabetes occurs in about 10% of pregnant women nationally and is a much more common condition here in the Bay Area, says Dr. Prasad Katta, a Washington Health endocrinologist. “Gestational diabetes can be treated easily if diagnosed early in the pregnancy,” Dr. Katta says. “The key is identifying the condition early so that treatment can begin as soon as possible.”

Dr. Katta will discuss the causes of and ways to manage gestational diabetes at a Wednesday, Nov. 19, online seminar, “Managing Gestational Diabetes: A Healthy Pregnancy Journey.” The 5 p.m. Washington Health & Wellness seminar can be accessed on Facebook.com/WashingtonHealth1 or YouTube.com/@Washington Health.

Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that develops exclusively in pregnancy when blood sugar levels become too high. The condition occurs when the hormones from the placenta block a pregnant woman’s ability to use or make insulin to regulate the body’s glucose levels. Too much glucose in the blood can lead to pregnancy complications.

Most pregnant women are tested for gestational diabetes around 24 to 28 weeks of the pregnancy, although women with risk factors – such as being overweight, a family history of diabetes, being an older mother, among other health issues – must be tested earlier, ideally before 15 weeks, Dr. Katta advises. “Higher rates of gestational diabetes in the East Bay can be related to ethnicity and cultural dietary issues,” he explains. “This is particularly true among women of Indian ethnicity.”

Once diagnosed, treatment includes diet and lifestyle changes and, if needed, medical treatment – usually with insulin, the most commonly used medication for diabetes. In most cases, blood sugar levels in the mother return to normal after delivery. However, a small number of women may continue to have diabetes following pregnancy. Dr. Katta emphasizes the need for the mother to be tested for diabetes within three months of the delivery, and to continue to have regular diabetes screening every one to three years.

At the seminar, Dr. Katta will discuss possible complications if gestational diabetes is not treated properly. These may include increased risk of preeclampsia (high blood pressure) during pregnancy, higher birth weight (making delivery more difficult), low blood sugar in the baby after birth, a higher chance of the baby becoming obese or developing type 2 diabetes later in life,

and the possibility of the mother developing type 2 diabetes in the future.

Dr. Katta emphasizes, “Early diagnosis and treatment can make a big difference in the impact gestational diabetes may have on a pregnancy.” He urges women who are planning to become pregnant to talk with their physician early about gestational diabetes testing and management.

“And it’s essential to continue with diabetes screening regularly after pregnancy. Less than 40% of mothers get a six-month diabetes report card despite the fact the lifetime risk of type 2 diabetes increases over the course of her life,” Dr. Katta warns.

“With proper treatment most complications can be prevented,” Dr. Katta says. “My advice to patients would be: Talk to your doctor, make the needed diet and lifestyle changes before becoming pregnant, and be sure to continue to monitor for type 2 diabetes regularly during your lifetime. These are the keys to a successful pregnancy with gestational diabetes.”

For more information about gestational diabetes, plan to view Dr. Katta’s seminar on Wednesday, Nov. 19, at 5 p.m. Following the presentation, the seminar will be added to WH’s video library at www.YouTube.com/@Washington_Health.

To read more about Dr. Katta’s work with patients with diabetes, scan the below QR code or call 510.248.1550 to schedule an appointment.