2.5.3  Gestational diabetes

A pregnant woman can develop diabetes in pregnancy, due to chemical changes in her body. This is known as gestational diabetes (also known as pregnancy-induced diabetes). The common symptoms are the same as for Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes (thirst, frequent urination), but she may also complain of itching and an unpleasant smell coming from her vagina due to infection, and wounds that are slow to heal.

Gestational diabetes commonly goes away after the baby is delivered, but you should be aware that a few mothers will have undiagnosed Type 2 diabetes, or have developed coincidental Type 1 diabetes. Also, having had a diagnosis of gestational diabetes, a woman is more likely to develop diabetes in future pregnancies and is also more likely subsequently to develop Type 2 diabetes. During the pregnancy, the woman should be treated for diabetes by changes to her diet and exercise, with or without prescribed insulin.