Gestational diabetes blood sugar standards

Written by Chen Xie
Endocrinology
Updated on September 29, 2024
00:00
00:00

The diagnostic criteria for gestational diabetes involve a pregnant woman undergoing a 75-gram glucose test at any time during pregnancy to measure fasting blood glucose, blood glucose one hour after consuming glucose, and blood glucose two hours after consuming glucose. The thresholds are: fasting blood glucose equal to or greater than 5.1 mmol/L, blood glucose one hour after glucose intake equal to or greater than 10.0 mmol/L, and blood glucose two hours after glucose intake equal to or greater than 8.5 mmol/L. Diagnosis of gestational diabetes can be made if blood glucose levels exceed these standards at any of the three time points. In China, pregnant women typically undergo the 75-gram glucose test between the 24th to 28th week of pregnancy. Women at high risk for gestational diabetes are advised to undergo the 75-gram glucose test early.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Chen Xie
Endocrinology
1min 42sec home-news-image

Impact of gestational diabetes on the fetus and pregnant women

The effects of gestational diabetes on the mother mainly include an increased risk of miscarriage, concurrent conditions such as gestational hypertension and preeclampsia, as well as the potential for diabetic ketoacidosis. The presence of a large fetus can lead to difficult labor, damage to the birth canal, prolonged surgical delivery, and an increased likelihood of postpartum hemorrhage. Additionally, women with gestational diabetes have an increased risk of developing the condition again in future pregnancies. In terms of long-term effects, the risk of developing type 2 diabetes significantly increases after experiencing gestational diabetes. For the fetus, the impacts of gestational diabetes primarily manifest as an increased risk of spontaneous miscarriage, congenital anomalies, and abnormal development. There is also a heightened risk of hyperinsulinemia, which can even affect the proper development and maturity of the fetal lungs, leading to delays. After birth, conditions such as hypoglycemia and neonatal respiratory distress syndrome are more likely to occur. In the long term, offspring of women with gestational diabetes are at higher risk for glucose intolerance, diabetes, obesity, and metabolic syndrome. These conditions significantly increase the risks to the cardiovascular system and can affect neuromotor development.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Luo Han Ying
Endocrinology
56sec home-news-image

Can you drink yogurt if you have gestational diabetes?

Regarding yogurt, there are two scenarios. Currently, you can make yogurt at home with a yogurt maker. If it's homemade yogurt and you haven't added sugar, it is okay to eat because it contains probiotics and nutritious ingredients, which are actually beneficial for pregnant women. However, the yogurt sold in stores contains very high sugar levels because anyone who has made yogurt would know that unsweetened yogurt is very sour. The kind sold in stores tastes that way because a large amount of sugar is added, not to mention various additives. This is very unfavorable for blood sugar control in patients with gestational diabetes. Therefore, we recommend that pregnant women should drink less or even avoid commercial yogurt. In fact, we can obtain these nutrients by drinking regular milk, like pure milk.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Chen Xie
Endocrinology
1min 17sec home-news-image

Can pregnant women with gestational diabetes eat pumpkin?

The general principle for dietary control in patients with gestational diabetes is to manage total calorie intake and to eat smaller, more frequent meals. Eating five to six meals a day can not only help control blood sugar levels but also reduce the occurrence of hypoglycemia. Additionally, it is important for patients with gestational diabetes to eat less of foods that can rapidly increase blood sugar levels, as well as those high in sugar, starch, and fat content since these can easily convert into glucose, causing a rise in blood sugar. Pumpkin, for example, is a food high in carbohydrates and should be consumed in limited quantities. However, this does not mean it cannot be eaten at all. For patients with gestational diabetes, if pumpkin is consumed, it is necessary to reduce the intake of staple foods and rice, treating the pumpkin as a staple food substitute to maintain a balance of total calories and to prevent significant fluctuations in blood sugar, thus keeping it stable.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Chen Xie
Endocrinology
52sec home-news-image

Dietary Guidance for Gestational Diabetes

The dietary principles for gestational diabetes are consistent with those for non-pregnant diabetes. Firstly, the total daily caloric intake should be balanced, with carbohydrates accounting for 50%-60%, proteins for 15%-20%, and fats for 20%-30%. The overall principle is to eat smaller, more frequent meals, ideally adding two to three snacks to the three main meals per day. Common foods primarily include milk, proteins, egg whites, and fruits. Then, generally maintain the level of diet before pregnancy without overly restricting it. It is advisable to consume a significant amount of vegetables, no less than 500 grams daily, to supplement vitamins and fiber.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
46sec home-news-image

What are the symptoms of a baby born to a mother with gestational diabetes?

During pregnancy, if a pregnant woman suffers from high blood glucose, it can potentially impact the fetus's growth and development. After the baby is born, this may result in a larger size of the fetus, and a decrease in the baby's immune system, making them more susceptible to infectious diseases. If high blood glucose occurs during pregnancy, it is important to control the diet promptly, eat less sugary food, and also control the portion of food. If necessary, medical treatment under the guidance of a doctor can also be conducted to maintain blood glucose at a stable level. If blood glucose is well-controlled during pregnancy, the baby will be just like other healthy babies after birth.