Gestational Diabetes Education Program

Gestational diabetes develops when your pancreas is unable to make enough insulin to cover the body's needs during pregnancy. As a result, glucose (sugar) begins to build up in your bloodstream.

That extra glucose can travel through the placenta to the baby, resulting in the baby growing too large. Untreated, gestational diabetes can cause the baby to grow so large that it must be delivered by cesarean section and other pregnancy complications.

Gestational diabetes can be difficult to detect because there are usually no symptoms. For this reason, all pregnant women are checked for high blood glucose. At each prenatal visit, your urine will be checked for signs of diabetes. Between the 24th and 28th weeks of pregnancy, a blood test will check for glucose.

If you have developed gestational diabetes, please talk with your doctor about the best care plan for you and your baby. This may include dietary changes, exercise and blood glucose monitoring. HonorHealth's gestational diabetes program can help you learn what to do and how to modify your diet to help control your blood glucose. Our caring, experienced staff of certified diabetes educators can help you learn to manage your gestational diabetes.

HonorHealth's gestational diabetes services include:

• Nutritional counseling and meal planning for weight and blood glucose management.
• Self-care guidelines during pregnancy, including physical activity, recommended screenings and blood glucose monitoring.
• Instruction in insulin or oral medication management, if needed.
• A diabetes prevention class at three to six months after your baby's birth.

For more information about managing diabetes during pregnancy, please call HonorHealth's Diabetes Center at 480-323-4921.