Are You at Risk for Gestational Diabetes?

During Diabetes Awareness Month, we focus on a common pregnancy concern. Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that starts during pregnancy. 

At Panhandle Obstetrics and Gynecology in Amarillo, Texas, we want you to feel supported. Our team of women’s wellness experts provides comprehensive obstetrics care to keep you and your baby healthy.

Many expectant mothers wonder if they’re at risk. You might think you only need to worry if you have a family history of diabetes. However, pregnancy changes your metabolism in ways you can’t always predict.

What causes gestational diabetes?

Gestational diabetes is driven by natural hormone changes from the placenta. As your baby grows, the placenta releases hormones that block your insulin from working well. This process creates natural insulin resistance.

To keep your blood sugar stable, your pancreas must produce extra insulin. If your body can’t make enough, gestational diabetes develops. This is a physical response to pregnancy, not a result of personal choices.

Who needs to be screened for gestational diabetes?

We recommend routine screening for every pregnant patient, as traditional risk factors don’t tell the whole story. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force advises screening all asymptomatic pregnant individuals at 24 weeks of gestation or after.

This universal screening acts as a safety net. It helps us protect you and your baby, even if you feel perfectly healthy and have no family history of diabetes.

What should you expect during the screening?

The screening is usually a simple, multi-step process. In a 2024 update, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists outlines a standard two-step approach.

First, you take a 50-gram nonfasting screening test. If your blood sugar is elevated, you return for a 100-gram, three-hour fasting test. Failing the first test doesn’t mean you have gestational diabetes. It simply means we need the second test to get an accurate diagnosis.

How do we manage gestational diabetes?

If you’re diagnosed, our team helps you manage your diabetes safely. Most patients start by eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly. We focus on spreading your carbohydrate intake evenly throughout the day.

Your care doesn’t end when your baby is born. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends getting tested for diabetes 4-12 weeks after delivery. This postpartum test ensures your blood sugar levels have returned to normal.

At Panhandle Obstetrics and Gynecology, we walk with you through every stage of pregnancy. If you’re expecting or planning a pregnancy, we’re here to help. Call 806-359-5468 to schedule your prenatal visit today.