Video: What Is Gestational Diabetes?
Gestational diabetes needs medical intervention to ensure the safety of you and your baby. Learn more in this video
2 min read
Pregnancy – Article by
We have included a video from the NHS in the UK as it best explains Gestational Diabetes. About 9% of pregnant women in New Zealand experience Gestational Diabetes or it’s recurrence – that’s nearly 4,000 pregnancies a year in our country.
What Is Gestational Diabetes?
Viewing time: 6m 14s
What you will learn:
- Gestational diabetes is high blood sugar that develops during pregnancy and usually disappears after giving birth
- Gestational Diabetes can appear in the second or third trimester after baby’s organs have developed
- Risk factors include a BMI of 30 or over, a previous pregnancy with gestational diabetes or having a baby weighing over 9lbs/4.5kgs or having a close family member with diabetes
- Māori and Pacific mums-to-be are more at risk
- Developing the condition means your baby can grow extra large. This brings it’s own health complications and also means you may not be able to have a natural birth
- Eating healthily and increasing your physical activity can help
- Watch out for hidden sugars such as in fruit juice and breakfast cereal
- Some women may need tablets or even injections
- Most women with GD find it goes away after giving birth
Want to know more about gestational diabetes?
Diabetes New Zealand provides advice and information for Kiwis
Check out the Diabetes New Zealand website for more information about Gestational Diabetes. The charity has more than 50 years experience advising on diabetes and has satellite offices around New Zealand.
