Symptoms of Gestational Diabetes

Written by Zhang Yin Xing
Obstetrics
Updated on March 14, 2025
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The symptoms of gestational diabetes differ from those of non-pregnancy diabetes; non-pregnancy diabetes is mainly characterized by excessive drinking, eating, urination, and weight loss. During pregnancy, excessive drinking and eating may be physiological responses due to increased appetite, and frequent urination may be caused by the enlarged uterus pressing on the bladder during early pregnancy. Weight loss is generally not apparent in gestational diabetes due to the growth of the fetus, the uterus, and the increase in amniotic fluid. For women who had a higher body mass index before pregnancy and a family history of diabetes, it is recommended to start glucose tolerance screening from the time of planning to conceive. For those who gain weight rapidly after becoming pregnant and have a significant increase in amniotic fluid, we typically conduct routine diabetes screening between 24 to 28 weeks of pregnancy. Gestational diabetes has severe impacts on the pregnant woman, the fetus, and the newborn, thus early detection and treatment are advised.

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What does a diabetic diet include?

The diet for diabetes primarily includes the following aspects: First, it is recommended to eat at regular times and in fixed amounts daily. Second, avoid consuming foods with a high glycemic index, such as porridge, glutinous rice, and rice noodle rolls, as these are not recommended. Third, the diet should be bland, as many diabetic patients also suffer from high blood pressure, high blood lipids, and high uric acid. Therefore, a bland diet is emphasized. Fourth, overly sweet fruits such as lychee, longan, banana, and grapes are not suitable for consumption.

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Prevention of Gestational Diabetes

The prevention of gestational diabetes mainly focuses on diet and exercise. First, weigh yourself every morning to monitor weight changes during pregnancy, as excessive weight gain can increase the risk of gestational diabetes. Second, maintain a healthy and balanced diet that is low in fat and calories, and high in fiber and protein, avoiding excessive consumption of high-sugar foods. Third, regularly engage in exercises suitable for pregnancy. Fourth, keep a regular routine. Finally, closely monitor the fetus.

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How to treat diabetic foot?

Diabetic foot is one of the most severe complications of diabetes. It is caused by a combination of factors including peripheral vascular disease and diabetic peripheral neuropathy associated with diabetes. In such cases, treatment can involve internal medicine, interventional vascular treatment, and surgical treatment cooperatively managed by multiple vascular departments. Early treatment focuses on controlling blood sugar, improving circulation, and nourishing nerves. If ulcerations and skin breakdown have already occurred in the foot, further debridement and anti-infection treatments are necessary. It is essential to conduct an ultrasound of the lower limb vessels to assess for any vascular narrowing. If severe vascular occlusion occurs, vascular surgery may be needed to restore blood flow. In cases of severe diabetic foot with infection, surgical debridement or even amputation may be necessary. Thus, it is crucial to control blood sugar well in the early stages of diabetes to prevent these complications and potentially avoid the onset of diabetic foot.

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Gestational diabetes standards

Before addressing this question, let's first clarify another concept: if diabetes is diagnosed before pregnancy, this is referred to as pre-existing diabetes in pregnancy, which is different from gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes refers to cases where there is no pre-existing diabetes diagnosis before pregnancy, but abnormal blood glucose levels are detected after becoming pregnant. Generally, a glucose screening test is conducted between the 24th and 28th weeks of pregnancy. Currently in China, there are two approaches: the one-step and the two-step methods. The one-step method involves a direct 75-gram oral glucose tolerance test. However, most of China uses the two-step method, which starts with a 50-gram glucose challenge test. If the blood glucose level one hour after eating is greater than or equal to 7.8 mmol/L, a 75-gram oral glucose tolerance test is recommended. For the 75-gram glucose test, the fasting blood glucose level should generally be less than or equal to 5.6 mmol/L, one hour post-glucose intake should be 10.3 mmol/L, two hours post-glucose should be 8.6 mmol/L, and three hours post-glucose should be 6.7 mmol/L. If two or more of these values exceed the diagnostic criteria, gestational diabetes can be diagnosed. If only one value is abnormal, impaired glucose tolerance can be diagnosed. It is recommended that anyone who experiences abnormal blood glucose levels during pregnancy undergo another 75-gram oral glucose tolerance test six months post-pregnancy to determine if blood glucose levels are still abnormal and whether treatment should continue.

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How long does prediabetes take to turn into diabetes?

How long it takes for prediabetes to progress into diabetes varies, with no definitive answer, as it differs from person to person. Whether prediabetes will develop into diabetes largely depends on blood sugar control. Clinical experience shows that some individuals never progress to diabetes after adjusting their diet and exercise routines. However, if a patient does not take their condition seriously and fails to change their lifestyle, it might take as little as 2-3 years or as long as 5-10 years to develop into diabetes. Therefore, it is crucial to manage lifestyle promptly upon prediabetes diagnosis, paying attention to blood sugar monitoring and pancreatic function tests.