What is gestational diabetes?

Gestational diabetes in your reports

Doctors usually test between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy. They often use:

• a glucose challenge test first
• then, if needed, an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT)

Pregnancy uses different sugar cutoffs from the usual ones, so ask your doctor what your numbers mean.

Why gestational diabetes matters

Gestational diabetes often causes no symptoms, so testing is the only way to know. If it isn't managed, it can cause health problems for both you and your baby.

It usually goes away after delivery, but it raises:

• your own chance of type 2 diabetes later in life
• your child's chance of obesity and type 2 diabetes

If you had it in a past pregnancy, tell your doctor and keep getting your sugar checked in the years after.

What helps with gestational diabetes

Many women manage gestational diabetes with healthy eating and regular activity, and some also need insulin.

At meals:

• Spread food across regular meals and small snacks.
• Pair carbs like roti or rice with dal, paneer, eggs or dahi.
• Choose whole grains.
• Avoid sweets and fruit juices.

Gentle daily walking, if your doctor says it's safe, helps. Before a future pregnancy, reaching a healthy weight and staying active can lower your risk.