Symptoms of Gestational Diabetes

Gestational diabetes is a kind of diabetes that occurs during pregnancy in people who had not been diagnosed with diabetes before pregnancy. In gestational diabetes, the body does not make enough insulin to prevent high blood sugar (glucose) levels.

Typically, gestational diabetes develops midway through the 40-week gestational period, and often there are no symptoms. This is why people are screened for it between 24 and 28 weeks.

Read on for more information about what symptoms may look like when there are symptoms, complications that can occur with gestational diabetes, and when to call a healthcare provider.

Frequent Symptoms

Many times, there are no symptoms of gestational diabetes. It’s often picked up when your maternity care provider does standard blood glucose screenings between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy, which is why these tests are done for every pregnant person.

If you have symptoms, they’re often generalized and may seem like typical symptoms accompanying pregnancy. They may include:

• Frequent urination
• Increased appetite
• Some nausea and vomiting

Other symptoms may include blurry vision and weight loss.

Complications

Gestational diabetes can cause a variety of complications. Having gestational diabetes does not mean you will have these complications—these complications are also possible in people who don't have gestational diabetes. However, the risk is increased with this diagnosis.

Complications can include:

• High blood pressure
• Preeclampsia: High blood pressure and elevated protein in the urine
• Polyhydramnios: Excess amniotic fluid in the uterus
• Cesarean section: Surgical delivery
• Shoulder dystocia: The baby's shoulders getting stuck during delivery
• Preterm birth: Giving birth before 37 weeks of pregnancy
• Macrosomia: Large-size baby
• Neonatal hypoglycemia: Low blood sugar in the newborn
• Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome: Problems with the newborn's breathing
  

When to See a Healthcare Provider/Go to the Hospital

When you are pregnant, it is important to get prenatal care and screenings. Between 24 and 28 weeks, a healthcare provider will order a glucose tolerance test. This will tell the healthcare provider how your body utilizes glucose and whether you may have gestational diabetes.

If you’re diagnosed with gestational diabetes, check your blood sugar levels regularly, adhere to any nutritional plan your healthcare provider has given you, and stay physically active. If you are prescribed medication, be sure to use it as directed.

If you have symptoms of high blood pressure, such as vision changes, trouble catching your breath, sudden nausea or vomiting, increased swelling of your extremities, or severe headaches, call your healthcare provider immediately. If your glucose levels are excessively high, call your healthcare provider.

Always let your healthcare provider know about any new symptoms you’re experiencing. What might seem like a minor annoying symptom to you might be a sign of something serious, so it’s always good to report any changes.

Summary

Gestational diabetes often doesn’t have symptoms. The symptoms you may experience are very nonspecific. This is one reason universal screening is done for every pregnant person in the second half of pregnancy.

If you are diagnosed with gestational diabetes, you’ll monitor your blood sugar and adjust your diet and physical activity level. Sometimes you will be placed on medication. You may also be checked more frequently.

A Word From Verywell

If you think you may be more at risk for gestational diabetes, talk with your healthcare provider. They may opt to check your glucose levels sooner or have you modify your diet or activity level to control your blood sugar, regardless of whether you have gestational diabetes yet.