The classic symptoms of diabetes are increased thirst, increased urination, weight loss and fatigue.

For most women, the diagnosis of gestational diabetes comes as a surprise and the majority of pregnant women do not have symptoms. Therefore, it is standard practice to screen all women in the US for diabetes using a 50 gram glucose challenge (a sweet drink followed by a blood draw one hour later) between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy. If that test comes back elevated, a three-hour glucose challenge test is administered. If two values are elevated, the diagnosis is made.

Gestational diabetes is defined as a carbohydrate intolerance of variable severity first noted in pregnancy. Gestational diabetes is managed with a specific diet (decreased carbohydrates and sweets) and close monitoring of mother and baby, which usually leads to a good outcome for both.

Women diagnosed with gestational diabetes need to know that they have an increased chance of developing diabetes with subsequent pregnancies and later in life, so lifelong screening is indicated.

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