Type 4 (Gestational Diabetes):

Gestational Diabetes is a high blood sugar condition similar to Type 2 Diabetes that some women get during pregnancy; these women have higher than normal levels of glucose in their blood and their body cannot produce enough Insulin to get it all into the cells; this is due to certain pregnancy hormones stopping, or slowing the production of Insulin; and at this stage it is not just the mother that requires energy, the unborn child needs it too, but without the right amount of Insulin there will not be enough energy for both mother and child.

If Gestational Diabetes is not detected and controlled, it can increase the risk of birth complications, such as Shoulder Dystocia, when the baby’s shoulder gets stuck during the birth; it can also lead to babies being large for their gestational age.

How Common Is Gestational Diabetes?

Around 14% of women giving birth in England and Wales are affected by gestational Diabetes and others have Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes; the good news is that Gestational Diabetes can often be controlled with diet and exercise; though some will require medication, even Insulin, to control their blood glucose levels; in most cases, Gestational Diabetes develops in the second or third trimester, from week 14 of the pregnancy to the birth, and disappears after the baby is born; however, women who develop gestational Diabetes are more likely to develop Type 2 Diabetes later in life.

Diabetes Related Information Leaflets