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Gestational diabetes is high blood sugar (glucose) that develops during pregnancy and usually disappears after giving birth.

It can happen at any stage of pregnancy, but is more common in the second or third trimester.

It happens when your body cannot produce enough insulin – a hormone that helps control blood sugar levels – to meet your extra needs in pregnancy.

Gestational diabetes can cause problems for you and your baby during pregnancy and after birth. But the risks can be reduced if the condition is detected early and well managed

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Royal college of gynaecology and obstetrics

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Royal college of gynaecology and obstetrics

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Gestational diabetes is diabetes that develops in pregnancy. Most women who have gestational diabetes have healthy pregnancies and healthy babies.

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Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a form of hyperglycemia that develops during pregnancy and poses risks to both mother and fetus. The diagnostic criteria for GDM have evolved over decades, reflecting advancements in glucose testing methods and a deeper understanding of associated risks.

NCBI

Quintanilla Rodriguez BS, Vadakekut ES, Mahdy H. Gestational Diabetes. [Updated 2024 Jul 14]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK545196/

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Diabetes in pregnancy is a a type of hyperglycemia that develops in pregnancy- google

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Gestational diabetes is high blood sugar (glucose) that develops during pregnancy and usually disappears after giving birth.

It can happen at any stage of pregnancy, but is more common in the second or third trimester.

It happens when your body cannot produce enough insulin – a hormone that helps control blood sugar levels – to meet your extra needs in pregnancy.

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/gestational-diabetes/

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Gestational diabetes is high blood sugar (glucose) that develops during pregnancy and usually disappears after giving birth.
It can happen at any stage of pregnancy, but is more common in the second or third trimester.

It happens when your body cannot produce enough insulin - a hormone that helps control blood sugar levels - to meet your extra needs in pregnancy.

Gestational diabetes can cause problems for you and your baby during pregnancy and after birth. But the risks can be reduced if the condition is detected early and well managed.

Who's at risk of gestational diabetes

Any woman can develop gestational diabetes during pregnancy, but you're at an increased risk if:

you are over 40

your body mass index (BMI) is above 30 - use the BMI healthy weight calculator to work out your BMI

you previously had a baby who weighed 4.5kg (10lb) or more at birth

you had gestational diabetes in a previous pregnancy

1 of your parents or siblings has diabetes

you are of south Asian, Black, African-Caribbean or Middle Eastern origin (even if you were born in the UK)

you have had a gastric bypass or other weight-loss surgery

If any of these apply to you, you should be offered screening for gestational diabetes during your pregnancy.

Symptoms of gestational diabetes

Gestational diabetes does not usually cause any symptoms.

Most cases are only discovered when your blood sugar levels are tested during screening for gestational diabetes.

Some women may develop symptoms if their blood sugar levels gets too high (hyperglycaemia), such as:

increased thirst

needing to pee more often than usual

a dry mouth

tiredness

blurred eyesight

genital itching or thrush

But some of these symptoms are common during pregnancy and are not necessarily a sign of gestational diabetes. Speak to your midwife or doctor if you're worried about any symptoms you're experiencing.

How gestational diabetes can affect your pregnancy

Most women with gestational diabetes have otherwise normal pregnancies with healthy babies.

However, gestational diabetes can cause problems such as:

your baby growing larger than usual - this may lead to difficulties during the delivery and increases the likelihood of needing induced labour or a caesarean section

polyhydramnios - too much amniotic fluid (the fluid that surrounds the baby) in the womb, which can cause premature labour or problems at delivery

premature birth - giving birth before the 37th week of pregnancy

pre-eclampsia - a condition that causes high blood pressure during pregnancy and can lead to pregnancy complications if not treated

your baby developing low blood sugar or yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice) after he or she is born, which may require treatment in hospital

the loss of your baby (stillbirth) - though this is rare

Having gestational diabetes also means you're at an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the future.

Screening for gestational diabetes

During your first antenatal appointment (also called a booking appointment) at around week 8 to 12 of your pregnancy, your midwife or doctor will ask you some questions to determine whether you're at an increased risk of gestational diabetes.

If you have 1 or more risk factors for gestational diabetes you should be offered a screening test.

The screening test is called an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), which takes about 2 hours.

It involves having a blood test in the morning, when you have not had any food or drink for 8 to 10 hours (though you can usually drink water, but check with the hospital if you're unsure). You're then given a glucose drink.

After resting for 2 hours, another blood sample is taken to see how your body is dealing with the glucose.

The OGTT is done when you're between 24 and 28 weeks pregnant. If you've had gestational diabetes before, you'll be offered an OGTT earlier in your pregnancy, soon after your booking appointment, then another OGTT at 24 to 28 weeks if the first test is normal.
Find out more at Lab Tests Online: Glucose Tests.

Treatments for gestational diabetes

If you have gestational diabetes, the chances of having problems with your pregnancy can be reduced by controlling your blood sugar levels.

You'll be given a blood sugar testing kit so you can monitor the effects of treatment.

Blood sugar levels may be reduced by changing your diet and being more active if you can. Gentle activities such as walking, swimming and prenatal yoga can help reduce blood sugar. But tell your midwife or doctor before starting an activity you haven't done before.

However, if these changes don't lower your blood sugar levels enough, you will need to take medicine as well. This may be tablets or insulin injections.

You'll also be more closely monitored during your pregnancy and birth to check for any potential problems.

If you have gestational diabetes, it's best to give birth before 41 weeks. Induction of labour or a caesarean section may be recommended if labour does not start naturally by this time.

Earlier delivery may be recommended if there are concerns about your or your baby's health or if your blood sugar levels have not been well controlled.

Find out more about how gestational diabetes is treated.

Long-term effects of gestational diabetes

Gestational diabetes normally goes away after birth. But women who've had it are more likely to develop:

gestational diabetes again in future pregnancies

type 2 diabetes - a lifelong type of diabetes

You should have a blood test to check for diabetes 6 to 13 weeks after giving birth, and once every year after that if the result is normal.

See your GP if you develop symptoms of high blood sugar, such as increased thirst, needing to pee more often than usual, and a dry mouth - do not wait until your next test.

You should have the tests even if you feel well, as many people with diabetes do not have any symptoms.

You'll also be advised about things you can do to reduce your risk of getting diabetes, such as maintaining a healthy weight, eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly.

Some research has suggested that babies of mothers who had gestational diabetes may be more likely to develop diabetes or become obese later in life.

Planning future pregnancies

If you've had gestational diabetes before and you're planning to get pregnant, make sure you get checked for diabetes. Your GP can arrange this.

If you do have diabetes, you should be referred to a diabetes pre-conception clinic for support to ensure your condition is well controlled before you get pregnant.

Read more about diabetes in pregnancy.

If you have an unplanned pregnancy, talk to your GP and tell them you had gestational diabetes in your previous pregnancy.

If tests show you do not have diabetes, you'll be offered screening earlier in pregnancy (soon after your first midwife appointment) and another test at 24 to 28 weeks if the first test is normal.

Alternatively, your midwife or doctor may suggest you test your blood sugar levels yourself using a finger-pricking device in the same way as you did during your previous gestational diabetes.
Community content from HealthUnlocked

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Find out what gestational diabetes is, what problems it can cause, how it's diagnosed, and what the treatments are.

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Gestational diabetes mellitus, defined as diabetes diagnosed during pregnancy that is not clearly overt diabetes, is becoming more common as the epidemic of obesity and type 2 diabetes continues.

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Gestational diabetes

Gestational diabetes is diabetes that can develop during pregnancy. It affects women who don't already have another type of diabetes.

It means you have high blood sugar and need to take extra care of yourself and your bump. This will include eating well and keeping active.

It usually goes away again after giving birth. It is usually diagnosed from a blood test 24 to 28 weeks into pregnancy.

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Gestational diabetes is diabetes that can develop during pregnancy. It affects women who don't already have another type of diabetes.

It means you have high blood sugar and need to take extra care of yourself and your bump. This will include eating well and keeping active.

It usually goes away again after giving birth. It is usually diagnosed from a blood test 24 to 28 weeks into pregnancy.

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Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) develops during pregnancy and is usually diagnosed following assessment for risk factors followed by elevated plasma glucose levels on testing.

https://bestpractice.bmj.com/topics/en-gb/665

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GDM is defined as hyperglycaemia in pregnancy that is below diagnostic thresholds for diabetes. The precise diagnostic criteria remain a subject of debate.(BJM)

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GDM is defined as hyperglycaemia in pregnancy that is below diagnostic thresholds for diabetes. The precise diagnostic criteria remain a subject of debate.(BJM)

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Epidemiology and management of gestational diabetes. 

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Epidemiology and management of gestational diabetes. 

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Gestational diabetes is defined as hyperglycaemia first detected during pregnancy at glucose concentrations that are less than those of overt diabetes.

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Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is any abnormal glucose tolerance first diagnosed dur-ing pregnancy. It occurs in 2 to 4% of the pregnant population and is due to a combination of the insulin resistance of pregnancy coupled with an insulin secretory defect.

Google Books. (2025). Evidence-based Diabetes Care. [online] Available at: https://books.google.co.uk/books?hl=en&lr=&id=pNR_ue_1bjkC&oi=fnd&pg=PA164&dq=info:t_yS-fBioeAJ:scholar.google.com/&ots=Z5iSVm234G&sig=7I2Nnh9g4rycMoH2YO_IOhDYA6o&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q&f=false.

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Gestational diabetes is less common than type 1 or type 2 diabetes, but prevalence has been increasing. It affects at least 4–5 in 100 women during pregnancy, or 1 in 20 pregnancies in the UK. The important thing is to remember that with the right support you can reduce your risk, and if diagnosed there is specialist care available from your healthcare team.

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What causes gestational diabetes?

Lots of changes happen to your body during pregnancy.

Along with the physical signs, the hormones you produce can make it hard for your body to use insulin properly. This puts you at an increased risk of insulin resistance, which is when your body's cells don't respond properly to the insulin that your body makes, and some women can't produce enough insulin to overcome it.

This makes it difficult to use glucose (sugar) properly for energy, so it stays in your blood and blood sugar levels rise. This then leads to gestational diabetes.

Can you get gestational diabetes from eating too much sugar?

Gestational diabetes is not directly caused by consuming too much sugar, but your risk is increased if you are living with overweight or obesity. This applies to type 2 diabetes as well.

As sugary foods and drinks usually contain a lot of calories, this means you could gain weight if you regularly take in more calories than your body needs, which increases your risk of type 2 or gestational diabetes.

Read more about whether eating too much sugar causes diabetes.

Do any foods cause gestational diabetes?

There is no known link between particular foods and an increased risk of gestational diabetes. But certain foods and drinks have been associated with an increased or decreased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Having a healthy diet and being more active can help reduce the risk of gestational diabetes.

Read our 10 tips for healthy eating.

What puts you at risk of gestational diabetes?

Some factors that can increase your risk of gestational diabetes include:

Living with overweight or obesity

Having had it before in a previous pregnancy

Having had a very large baby in a previous pregnancy - 4.5kg/10lb or more

Having a family history of diabetes - this means at least one parent or sibling

Having a South Asian, Black or African Caribbean or Middle Eastern background.

Increasing age - the NHS recommends gestational diabetes screening if you are pregnant and over 40 years old.

If any of these apply to you, you should be offered screening for gestational diabetes during your pregnancy. You can read more about how gestational diabetes is diagnosed.

How can I prevent gestational diabetes?

Some people can't prevent gestational diabetes, but there are some things you can do to reduce your risk. This includes getting support to manage your weight, eat healthily and keep active before pregnancy.

We have a separate article with more information on reducing your risks of gestational diabetes.

How many women develop it during pregnancy?

Gestational diabetes is less common than type 1 or type 2 diabetes, but prevalence has been increasing. It affects at least 4-5 in 100 women during pregnancy, or 1 in 20 pregnancies in the UK. The important thing is to remember that with the right support you can reduce your risk, and if diagnosed there is specialist care available from your healthcare team.

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We explain what causes gestational diabetes, what the most common risk factors are and how you can take steps to reduce your risk.

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Around 14% of pregnancies globally are affected by gestational diabetes;

The lancet

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(24)00825-0/fulltext

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It affects at least 4–5 in 100 women during pregnancy, or 1 in 20 pregnancies in the UK.

https://www.diabetes.org.uk/about-diabetes/gestational-diabetes/causes#:~:text=It%20affects%20at%20least%204,available%20from%20your%20healthcare%20team.

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What causes gestational diabetes? Lots of changes happen to your body during pregnancy.

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It affects at least 4–5 in 100 women during pregnancy, or 1 in 20 pregnancies in the UK.

https://www.diabetes.org.uk/about-diabetes/gestational-diabetes/causes

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
What causes gestational diabetes?

Lots of changes happen to your body during pregnancy.

Along with the physical signs, the hormones you produce can make it hard for your body to use insulin properly. This puts you at an increased risk of insulin resistance, which is when your body's cells don't respond properly to the insulin that your body makes, and some women can't produce enough insulin to overcome it.

This makes it difficult to use glucose (sugar) properly for energy, so it stays in your blood and blood sugar levels rise. This then leads to gestational diabetes.

Can you get gestational diabetes from eating too much sugar?

Gestational diabetes is not directly caused by consuming too much sugar, but your risk is increased if you are living with overweight or obesity. This applies to type 2 diabetes as well.

As sugary foods and drinks usually contain a lot of calories, this means you could gain weight if you regularly take in more calories than your body needs, which increases your risk of type 2 or gestational diabetes.

Read more about whether eating too much sugar causes diabetes.

Do any foods cause gestational diabetes?

There is no known link between particular foods and an increased risk of gestational diabetes. But certain foods and drinks have been associated with an increased or decreased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Having a healthy diet and being more active can help reduce the risk of gestational diabetes.

Read our 10 tips for healthy eating.

What puts you at risk of gestational diabetes?

Some factors that can increase your risk of gestational diabetes include:

Living with overweight or obesity

Having had it before in a previous pregnancy

Having had a very large baby in a previous pregnancy - 4.5kg/10lb or more

Having a family history of diabetes - this means at least one parent or sibling

Having a South Asian, Black or African Caribbean or Middle Eastern background.

Increasing age - the NHS recommends gestational diabetes screening if you are pregnant and over 40 years old.

If any of these apply to you, you should be offered screening for gestational diabetes during your pregnancy. You can read more about how gestational diabetes is diagnosed.

How can I prevent gestational diabetes?

Some people can't prevent gestational diabetes, but there are some things you can do to reduce your risk. This includes getting support to manage your weight, eat healthily and keep active before pregnancy.

We have a separate article with more information on reducing your risks of gestational diabetes.

How many women develop it during pregnancy?

Gestational diabetes is less common than type 1 or type 2 diabetes, but prevalence has been increasing. It affects at least 4-5 in 100 women during pregnancy, or 1 in 20 pregnancies in the UK. The important thing is to remember that with the right support you can reduce your risk, and if diagnosed there is specialist care available from your healthcare team.

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We explain what causes gestational diabetes, what the most common risk factors are and how you can take steps to reduce your risk.

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Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is one of the most common conditions of pregnancy, affecting up to 13% of pregnancies across the world. It is becoming more common, because of increasing levels of obesity, sedentary lifestyles and unhealthy diets.

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33% of women who have gestational diabetes will develop type 2 diabetes within 15 years

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A third of women who get diabetes while pregnant – a common condition called gestational diabetes mellitus or GDM – will go on to develop type 2 diabetes within 15 years of their pregnancy.