Gestational Diabetes Mellitus is the third type of diabetes, along with Type 1 and Type 2. Gestational Diabetes, often referred to as GD, occurs during pregnancy and can be due to multiple factors. This blog will help you learn how GD can come about and allow you to understand the complex nature of insulin creation and resistance during pregnancy.

What is it?

Gestational diabetes mellitus is a form of diabetes that occurs during pregnancy.

It is diagnosed when higher than normal blood glucose levels appear for the first time during pregnancy.

Everyone should be tested between 24 and 28 weeks.

How does it happen?

In pregnancy, the placenta produces hormones that help the baby grow and develop, but these hormones also block the action of the woman’s insulin.

This is called insulin resistance.

Insulin Resistance

The need for insulin in pregnancy is 2 to 3 times higher than normal.

If you already have insulin resistance, then your body may not be able to cope with the extra demand for insulin production and the blood glucose levels will be higher, resulting in gestational diabetes being diagnosed.

When the pregnancy is over, blood glucose levels usually return to normal and gestational diabetes disappears.

Gestational diabetes can often be managed with diet changes and physical activity. However, some people may need medication and/or insulin injections.

Our dietitian, Julia, specialises in paediatric, prenatal and postnatal nutrition and is available to work with you through any questions or concerns you may be having. We're here to help. Julia is available for appointments both face to face or via telehealth, book online or call us to book a time.

If you’re after some more advice or are in need of some hands on help, we’d love to see you at Collective Motion! Collective Motion offers Osteopathy, Myotherapy, Dietetics and Pilates and is conveniently located to service our Bentleigh community as well as its surrounding suburbs including Bentleigh East, McKinnon, Ormond, Glenhuntly, Murrumbeena, Carnegie, Oakleigh, Gardenvale, Brighton East and Hampton East. Click below to book an appointment and let us help you get moving again.