Gestational Diabetes: What Pregnant Women Need to Know

What Is Gestational Diabetes?

Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that develops during pregnancy in women who didn’t have diabetes before. It happens when your body can’t make enough insulin to meet the extra needs of pregnancy, causing blood sugar levels to rise.

The good news: Gestational diabetes usually goes away after your baby is born. With proper management, most women with gestational diabetes have healthy pregnancies and healthy babies.

The reality: It does require attention and care during your pregnancy, and it does increase your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes later in life.

Why Does It Happen?

During pregnancy, your body goes through major hormonal changes. These hormones help your baby grow, but they also make it harder for your body to use insulin effectively.

Your pancreas tries to keep up by making extra insulin, but sometimes it can’t produce enough. When that happens, your blood sugar rises, and you develop gestational diabetes.

This is not your fault. You didn’t cause it by eating too much sugar or doing anything wrong.

Who’s at Risk?

Any pregnant woman can develop gestational diabetes, but you’re at higher risk if you:

  • Are over 25 years old
  • Are overweight before pregnancy
  • Have a family history of diabetes
  • Had gestational diabetes in a previous pregnancy
  • Have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
  • Have had a previous baby weighing over 9 pounds
  • Are of African, Caribbean, or Hispanic descent

In Barbados, where diabetes rates are already high in our community, being screened during pregnancy is especially important.

How Is It Diagnosed?

Your doctor will test you for gestational diabetes between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy using a glucose tolerance test. You’ll drink a sweet liquid, and then your blood sugar will be tested to see how your body handles the glucose.

If your levels are high, you’ll have gestational diabetes. Don’t panic, this is manageable.

What It Means for Your Baby

With good management, most women with gestational diabetes have perfectly healthy babies. But uncontrolled gestational diabetes can cause problems:

During pregnancy:

  • Baby growing larger than normal (which can make delivery more difficult)
  • Increased risk of preterm birth
  • Low blood sugar in baby after birth
  • Increased risk of C-section

Long-term:

  • Your child has a higher risk of obesity and Type 2 diabetes later in life

This is why managing your blood sugar during pregnancy is so important—you’re protecting both yourself and your baby.

How to Manage Gestational Diabetes

Most women can manage gestational diabetes through lifestyle changes. Some need medication or insulin, and that’s okay too.

Healthy Eating
 You’re not dieting, you’re eating in a way that keeps your blood sugar stable and your baby healthy.

  • Eat regular meals and snacks (don’t skip meals)
  • Choose complex carbs (whole grains, ground provisions) over refined carbs
  • Include protein at every meal
  • Load up on vegetables
  • Limit sugary drinks and sweets
  • Watch portion sizes, especially of starchy foods

Stay Active
Regular physical activity helps control blood sugar. Walking, swimming, and prenatal yoga are all great options, but talk to your doctor first to find out what’s safe for you.

Monitor Your Blood Sugar
You’ll need to check your blood sugar several times a day – usually fasting and after meals. Your OB/GYN or nurse will show you how to check this and give you target numbers to aim for.

Take Medication If Needed
If diet and exercise aren’t enough to control your blood sugar, your doctor might prescribe medication or insulin. This doesn’t mean you failed, it just means your body needs extra support right now.

Let’s Talk About Bajan Food and Pregnancy

You’re probably worried about giving up your favorite foods while pregnant. You don’t have to eliminate everything, it’s more about balance and smart choices.

You can still enjoy:

  • Ground provisions (sweet potato, yam, breadfruit) in moderate portions
  • Fish and chicken prepared in healthy ways
  • Plenty of local vegetables
  • Fresh fruit in reasonable amounts

Be mindful of:

  • White rice and pasta (choose smaller portions or mix with vegetables)
  • Fried foods like fish cakes and cutters
  • Sweet drinks and juices
  • Macaroni pie and other starchy sides

Your baby needs good nutrition, and so do you. Work with your OB/GYN or a nutritionist who can help you to create a meal plan that works.

After Your Baby Is Born

Gestational diabetes usually disappears after delivery. Your blood sugar will be tested after birth to confirm it’s back to normal.

But here’s what’s important: Having gestational diabetes means you have about a 50% chance of developing Type 2 diabetes.

What you should do:

  • Get tested for diabetes 6 -12 weeks after delivery
  • Get screened for diabetes every 1 – 3 years
  • Maintain a healthy weight
  • Stay physically active
  • Eat a balanced diet
  • Breastfeed if possible (it helps both you and baby)

Think of gestational diabetes as an early warning system letting you know you’re at risk for Type 2 diabetes before it develops and now you know the tools for how best to prevent it.

For Future Pregnancies

If you’ve had gestational diabetes once, you’re more likely to have it again in future pregnancies. But you can reduce your risk by:

  • Reaching a healthy weight before getting pregnant again
  • Staying physically active
  • Eating well
  • Getting screened early in your next pregnancy

You’re Not Alone

We know being pregnant comes with enough to worry about without adding diabetes to the mix. You might feel:

  • Scared about how this affects your baby
  • Overwhelmed by all the testing and monitoring
  • Frustrated about food restrictions
  • Guilty, wondering if you caused it

These feelings are all normal. But please know that with proper care, you can have a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby.

At DHAB, we support women with gestational diabetes through education, coaching, and connection with other mothers who’ve been there. We understand the unique challenges of managing this during pregnancy.

The Bottom Line

Gestational diabetes is serious, but it’s manageable. Taking care of your blood sugar during pregnancy protects both you and your baby, now and in the future.

You’re already showing love for your child by learning about this and taking it seriously. Keep going. You’ve got this.

Need support managing gestational diabetes? 

Contact us Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Learn more: (links to the other website pages)

  • What Is Diabetes?
  • Type 2 Diabetes
  • Prediabetes
  • Our Services & Support