A person’s body changes in many ways during pregnancy to support a growing baby. One change involves how the body controls blood sugar. Insulin is a hormone that helps transport sugar from the blood into cells so it can be used for energy. During pregnancy, the placenta produces hormones that make the pregnant parent’s cells less responsive to insulin. When this happens, sugar stays in the blood to make sure the developing baby continues to grow. In response, the parent makes more insulin to help reduce blood sugar levels. These increases in blood sugar and insulin are a normal part of pregnancy.

However, some people’s bodies do not respond well to insulin, which results in blood sugar levels rising higher than normal during pregnancy. High blood sugar during pregnancy is unhealthy for the parent and baby. Screening for gestational diabetes includes a routine test typically performed between the 24th and 28th weeks of pregnancy. The test measures blood sugar one to three hours after drinking a sugary drink. People who are diagnosed with gestational diabetes work with their health care team to keep their blood sugar in a normal range. Common treatments for gestational diabetes include:

• Following a healthy diet.
• Being physically active.
• Taking medications that lower blood sugar.

Researchers do not fully understand why gestational diabetes develops. But they do know that inactivity, obesity and high blood pressure during pregnancy increase the chances of developing it.

Gestational diabetes resolves after the delivery of the baby. But people who had gestational diabetes have much higher chances of developing more serious blood sugar problems and blood vessel dysfunction later in life. People with a history of gestational diabetes should have their blood sugar and cardiovascular health checked at the doctor’s office every year after delivering their baby.

Scientists are working to find ways to reduce the risk of future disease development in people with a history of gestational diabetes. The more we learn about gestational diabetes, the brighter the future looks for parents and their babies.