High blood sugar that is first discovered during pregnancy

Gestational diabetes is mainly managed with healthy eating and exercise. The target in blood sugar self-measurements is below 5.5 mmol/l before meals and below 7.8 mmol/l after meals. However, in approximately 20 percent of cases, medication, i.e. metformin tablets or insulin injections, is required to keep the blood sugar level within these levels.

The discovery, management and monitoring of gestational diabetes are discussed in detail in Health Village’s Womenhub (in Finnish).

In gestational diabetes, the blood sugar level returns back to normal after labour. If gestational diabetes requires medication, the next glucose tolerance test is conducted within three months of labour. Otherwise, the glucose tolerance test is done 12 months after labour and then every 1–3 years, depending. Weight, blood pressure and, if necessary, blood fat levels are monitored simultaneously.

In more than half of the gestational diabetes cases, there is a risk of being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes within the next 10–15 years. It is important to shed any extra weight that was gained during the pregnancy, returning to normal weight and living a healthy lifestyle. Losing just 3–4 kg significantly reduces the risk of diabetes.