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At CHI Health, we are committed to support women with or at risk for diabetes. In partnership with your provider, our diabetes education team of nurses and dietitians provide a variety of outpatient diabetes education and support from pre-pregnancy through pregnancy into the postpartum period
Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that happens during pregnancy. Unlike type 1 diabetes, gestational diabetes is not caused by having too little insulin. Instead a hormone made by your placenta keeps your body from using the insulin as it should. This is called insulin resistance. Blood sugar (glucose) then builds up in your blood instead of being absorbed by the cells in your body.
Gestational diabetes does not cause any symptoms. That’s why it’s important to get tested for it if you are at high risk. If your blood sugar levels are very high, you may have these symptoms:
You should be tested for gestational diabetes in your 24th to 28th week of pregnancy. The American Diabetes Association also recommends that you be tested for type 2 diabetes if you have risk factors for this condition. This testing should be done at your first prenatal visit. Screening is done by these tests:
If you are diagnosed with gestational diabetes, you should get tested for diabetes 4 to 12 weeks after your baby is born. You should also get this screening at least every three years for the rest of your life.
Treatment for gestational diabetes focuses on keeping your blood sugar levels in the normal range. Treatment may include:
Our Gestational Diabetes Education program will assist you with your special diabetes management needs during pregnancy. The program consists of: