Risk for pregnancy

As a result of sustained high blood glucose, the baby can grow very large – this is called macrosomia. This can make it more difficult for the baby to pass through the birth canal, and in a small number of cases, may mean that a normal vaginal birth is not possible. However, most commonly this is not the case and most women with gestational diabetes can deliver the baby vaginally as normal. It might just mean that you need additional aid during labour and instruments such as forceps may be used to help guide the baby along the birth canal.  A small number of women may require a caesarean section which is an operation that means the baby is born through an incision made into the lower abdominal wall.

Another complication that can arise from high blood glucose in pregnancy is that your child is at greater chance of becoming overweight themselves or developing type 2 diabetes in adulthood.

In order to make sure that your baby stays in the best health, you will be given more appointments with healthcare professionals. These may involve additional blood and urine tests to monitor your blood glucose and a higher number of ultrasound scans to monitor your baby’s size and development.

Managing your gestational diabetes well, as discussed in the later management sections can help reduce the chance of complications.