Is gestational diabetes easy to treat?

Written by Luo Han Ying

Endocrinology

Updated on February 27, 2025

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Gestational diabetes nowadays is often related to excessive supplementation for pregnant women, meaning eating too much and too well. Families tend to be overprotective, and there is no need for exercise. Additionally, during pregnancy, insulin resistance and some special bodily changes occur. Therefore, between the 24th and 28th weeks, high blood sugar levels can be detected. After the diagnosis of gestational diabetes, first and foremost, it is necessary to adjust one's mindset and control the diet strictly. During pregnancy, it is sufficient to ensure adequate protein intake, and it's not about eating more or better. Secondly, for gestational diabetes, exercise can be intensified to control blood sugar levels.

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Written by Liang Yin

Endocrinology

1min

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How is gestational diabetes treated?

The treatment of gestational diabetes includes dietary therapy, exercise therapy, and insulin therapy. For dietary therapy, we mainly control the total calorie intake and supplement with elements such as calcium, iron, folic acid, and various vitamins; in exercise therapy, we aim to control the speed of weight gain, improve the peripheral tissues' utilization of glucose, and improve the lipid profile. For patients whose blood glucose levels do not meet the standards after two weeks of diet and exercise therapy, we initiate insulin therapy. The goal of insulin therapy is to control fasting blood glucose below 5.3 and postprandial blood glucose below 6.7. The methods of insulin therapy include twice daily injections, multiple daily injections, or the use of an insulin pump.

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Written by Chen Xie

Endocrinology

52sec

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Dietary Guidance for Gestational Diabetes

The dietary principles for gestational diabetes are consistent with those for non-pregnant diabetes. Firstly, the total daily caloric intake should be balanced, with carbohydrates accounting for 50%-60%, proteins for 15%-20%, and fats for 20%-30%. The overall principle is to eat smaller, more frequent meals, ideally adding two to three snacks to the three main meals per day. Common foods primarily include milk, proteins, egg whites, and fruits. Then, generally maintain the level of diet before pregnancy without overly restricting it. It is advisable to consume a significant amount of vegetables, no less than 500 grams daily, to supplement vitamins and fiber.

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Written by Chen Xie

Endocrinology

1min 12sec

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Gestational diabetes blood sugar standards

The diagnostic criteria for gestational diabetes involve a pregnant woman undergoing a 75-gram glucose test at any time during pregnancy to measure fasting blood glucose, blood glucose one hour after consuming glucose, and blood glucose two hours after consuming glucose. The thresholds are: fasting blood glucose equal to or greater than 5.1 mmol/L, blood glucose one hour after glucose intake equal to or greater than 10.0 mmol/L, and blood glucose two hours after glucose intake equal to or greater than 8.5 mmol/L. Diagnosis of gestational diabetes can be made if blood glucose levels exceed these standards at any of the three time points. In China, pregnant women typically undergo the 75-gram glucose test between the 24th to 28th week of pregnancy. Women at high risk for gestational diabetes are advised to undergo the 75-gram glucose test early.

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Written by Chen Xie

Endocrinology

1min 2sec

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Standards for Blood Sugar Control in Gestational Diabetes

The control of blood sugar in gestational diabetes mainly involves monitoring fasting blood glucose, postprandial blood glucose, and ketone bodies in urine. Patients can monitor their fasting and postprandial blood glucose 4-6 times daily. The target for blood sugar control is to maintain fasting blood glucose, pre-meal, or pre-sleep blood glucose levels between 3.3 to 5.3 mmol/L, postprandial blood glucose after one hour should be less than or equal to 7.8 mmol/L, and postprandial blood glucose after two hours should be less than or equal to 6.7 mmol/L. Ketone bodies should be negative, and glycated hemoglobin should be controlled below 6%. Only by meeting these standards can the control of blood sugar in gestational diabetes be considered adequate, which can reduce risk factors for both the mother and the fetus.

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Written by Chen Li Ping

Endocrinology

59sec

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Will gestational diabetes get better?

Gestational diabetes refers to diabetes that appears or is diagnosed during pregnancy and is a distinct type of diabetes. Many women with gestational diabetes may see their blood sugar levels return to normal after delivery as insulin resistance diminishes. It is recommended to conduct an OGTT (oral glucose tolerance test) screening six weeks after childbirth, as the majority of women with gestational diabetes will have normal fasting blood glucose or OGTT values at six weeks postpartum. Approximately 25% to 70% of women with gestational diabetes may develop diabetes again within 16 to 25 years after delivery. Therefore, it is essential to continue monitoring the patient's blood glucose postpartum and to screen early for diabetes.