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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    What are the symptoms of gestational diabetes?

    Related Topics
    Endocrinology Gestational Diabetes
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    Diabetes Australia

    Diabetes Australia is the national peak body for diabetes in Australia providing a single, powerful, collective voice for people living with diabetes, their families and … View Profile

    Gestational diabetes usually has no obvious symptoms. If symptoms occur, they can include:

    ·         Unusual thirst
    ·         Excessive urination
    ·         Tiredness
    ·         Thrush infections.

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  • Carolien Koreneff

    Counsellor, Credentialled Diabetes Educator (CDE), Diabetes Educator, Psychotherapist, Registered Nurse

    Carolien Koreneff is a Somatic (body-oriented) psychotherapist, Health Coach, Counsellor as well as a Credentialed Diabetes Educator with over 20 years experience. She currently sees … View Profile

    Gestational diabetes (GDM) is usually diagnosed through blood tests as they don't usually cause symptoms. This is why all pregnant women, in all pregnancies will get a glucose tolerance test.
    Undiagnosed GDM can lead to big babies (which can increase the risk of the baby developing diabetes in later life), can cause problems in the new born baby such as hypoglycaemia (low blood glucose levels), shoulder dystocia, jaundice. Whereas appropriately treated GDM (usually through diet and exercise, but if this is not enough insulin may be used) would lead to an otherwise normal pregnancy. THere is good information about this on Diabetes Australia's website, but you can also find information about GDM on my website which is: www.shiretotalhealth.com.au

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  • Kate Marsh

    Credentialled Diabetes Educator (CDE), Diabetes Educator, Dietitian

    Kate works with clients with type 1 and gestational diabetes, PCOS, and those following a plant-based (vegetarian or vegan) diet. As a diabetes educator, she … View Profile

    Gestational diabetes (GDM) doesn't usually have any obvious symptoms - most women are diagnosed following a blood test which is carried out at around 28 weeks gestation.  It is recommended that all women are screened for GDM as high blood glucose levels in pregnancy can cause your baby to grow bigger which can result in a difficult birth, including a higher risk of ceasarian section, and the risk of your baby having problems with low blood glucose levels (hypoglycemia) after it is born.  Exposure to higher glucose levels in pregnancy can also put your baby at risk of problems such as obesity and type 2 diabetes later in life.  Fortunately, keeping blood glucose levels well controlled can reduce this risk.

    While there are generally no symptoms of GDM, some women are at higher risk and may benefit from screening earlier in pregnancy (around the end of first trimester) - this includes women who have PCOS, those with a family history of type 2 diabetes or a previous history of GDM, women who are overweight, and those who are older.

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