Risk of gestational diabetes in second pregnancy

Written by Chen Xie
Endocrinology
Updated on April 28, 2025
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For women with gestational diabetes, the risk of diabetes in a second pregnancy is higher. Therefore, it is recommended that mothers who have had gestational diabetes undergo fasting glycosylated hemoglobin monitoring at a hospital before becoming pregnant, to rule out the possibility of pre-pregnancy diabetes. Additionally, it is advised to maintain a reasonable diet throughout the pregnancy, exercise regularly, and avoid high-calorie, high-sugar foods, as this can help prevent and reduce the occurrence of diabetes. In fact, for mothers expecting their second child, age is also a major risk factor. As age increases, the risks of hyperglycemia during pregnancy and hypertension during pregnancy become higher, thus the risk of gestational diabetes in a second pregnancy is relatively higher compared to the first.

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Written by Zhang Yin Xing
Obstetrics
1min 49sec home-news-image

How to control gestational diabetes

For diabetes during pregnancy, it is important to manage the condition in pregnant women. Initially, for blood sugar control during pregnancy, we recommend that the blood sugar levels before meals and two hours after meals be less than or equal to 5.3 mmol/L and 6.7 mmol/L, respectively, and nighttime blood sugar levels should not be lower than 3.3 mmol/L. For patients with diabetes complicated by pregnancy, the blood sugar control during pregnancy should meet the following targets: early pregnancy blood sugar control does not need to be overly strict to prevent hypoglycemia. Blood sugar levels before meals and during the night, as well as fasting blood sugar, should be controlled between 3.3 to 5.6 mmol/L, and post-meal peak blood sugar levels should be between 5.6 to 7.1 mmol/L. For both diabetes during pregnancy and diabetes complicated by pregnancy, if blood sugar levels cannot meet the above standards through diet and exercise management, insulin or oral hypoglycemic drugs should be used for further blood sugar control. Pregnancy is a special physiological period, and blood sugar control in diabetic pregnant women must not only be within the normal range but also ensure reasonable nutrient intake for the mother and fetus, reducing the occurrence of maternal and fetal complications. Most patients with gestational diabetes can control their blood sugar satisfactorily through reasonable dietary control and appropriate exercise therapy. The total daily nutrient intake should be determined based on the weight before pregnancy and the rate of weight gain during pregnancy.

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Written by Tang Zhuo
Endocrinology
1min 10sec home-news-image

How to control gestational diabetes

Gestational diabetes refers to the onset of diabetes during pregnancy, or the first detection of varying degrees of hyperglycemia, including glucose intolerance and diabetes that were not identified before pregnancy. The risks of gestational diabetes are more severe in patients with serious conditions or poor blood sugar control, as it can easily lead to miscarriage and preterm birth, infections, and in severe cases, ketoacidosis. So, how can gestational diabetes be controlled? It can be managed through dietary control and insulin treatment. Dietary control is crucial; the ideal dietary management aims to ensure and meet the caloric and nutritional needs during pregnancy while preventing hyperglycemia or ketosis due to starvation, ensuring normal fetal growth and development. For cases where dietary management is insufficient to control diabetes, insulin is the primary medication. (Please seek professional medical guidance before using any medication, and do not self-medicate.)

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Written by Xu Dong Dong
Endocrinology
46sec home-news-image

Can you eat cherries if you have gestational diabetes?

Patients with gestational diabetes can eat cherries. Cherries have a relatively low sugar content and glycemic index, so eating them will not cause significant fluctuations in blood sugar levels. Additionally, cherries are rich in trace elements, particularly high in iron content, and consuming cherries can help supplement iron. Patients with gestational diabetes can eat cherries in moderation, but they should not consume too much at once, and it is recommended to eat between meals. There are also other fruits with low glycemic indices that patients with gestational diabetes can eat appropriately, such as apples, peaches, pears, oranges, and grapefruits.

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Written by Chen Xie
Endocrinology
1min 4sec home-news-image

Risk of gestational diabetes in second pregnancy

For women with gestational diabetes, the risk of diabetes in a second pregnancy is higher. Therefore, it is recommended that mothers who have had gestational diabetes undergo fasting glycosylated hemoglobin monitoring at a hospital before becoming pregnant, to rule out the possibility of pre-pregnancy diabetes. Additionally, it is advised to maintain a reasonable diet throughout the pregnancy, exercise regularly, and avoid high-calorie, high-sugar foods, as this can help prevent and reduce the occurrence of diabetes. In fact, for mothers expecting their second child, age is also a major risk factor. As age increases, the risks of hyperglycemia during pregnancy and hypertension during pregnancy become higher, thus the risk of gestational diabetes in a second pregnancy is relatively higher compared to the first.

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Written by Luo Juan
Endocrinology
1min 7sec home-news-image

Can pregnant women with gestational diabetes eat dragon fruit?

For patients with gestational diabetes, it is permissible to eat dragon fruit. Since dragon fruit contains relatively low sugar levels, it can be consumed. However, it should not be eaten in excess, as excessive consumption can still lead to fluctuations in blood sugar levels. In the treatment of gestational diabetes, we should not cause the pregnant woman's weight to decrease, hence a low-calorie treatment is not advocated. Generally, the total calories are calculated based on standard weight, approximately 30 to 35 kcal per kilogram of body weight per day. Sugars should make up about 50%, proteins 20%-25%, and fats 25%-30%. It is best to divide these into three main meals and three snacks, adjusting the proportion and calorie content of the diet according to body type. Therefore, patients with gestational diabetes can eat dragon fruit, and it can be consumed as a snack between main meals.