High blood sugars during pregnancy can be harmful to both you and your baby.
If you are diagnosed with gestational diabetes during your pregnancy, it is important for you to attend your Diabetes Education Program, as soon as you are diagnosed to learn as much as you can.
If you have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes it is important to plan your pregnancy, and attend your Diabetes Education Program for education and support.
Use A Record of My Journey with Pregnancy and Diabetes as a tool to help you keep track of details of your pregnancy and any questions you may have. It also provides you with a record of your pregnancy for future reference. For a hard copy of the resource, contact your Diabetes Education Program.
Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that occurs during pregnancy at around 24 to 28 weeks. It happens in 4 to 20% of women during pregnancy and is diagnosed through a glucose tolerance test. For some women, your body is not able to produce enough insulin to keep up with your growing baby and changing hormone levels. If your body cannot produce enough insulin, your blood sugar levels will rise. If your blood sugars are too high, there is risk that your baby will grow to weigh more than 9 pounds, which can make a difficult delivery. There is also risk of your baby becoming overweight and developing type 2 diabetes later in life. Gestational diabetes can be managed well with help from your diabetes care team.
Screening for Gestational Diabetes
COVID-19 Update:During this unprecedented time, we recognize that this is a very stressful time for you to be having a baby. It is still important for you to be screened for gestational diabetes and supported if you have been diagnosed. New temporary guidelines have been released by Diabetes Canada and the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada to offer guidance to your health care provider. Please share with your health care provider, as they may not be aware yet.
At 24-28 weeks, your physician, NP or midwife will give you a requisition to go to the lab for an oral glucose tolerance test. There are 2 methods of screening for gestational diabetes. Your healthcare provider will discuss with you the two options of testing. The options are as follows:
1. Two Step Test: Go to the lab for a 1 hour oral glucose tolerance test. If your 1 hour test result is higher than 11.1, you have gestational diabetes. If your result is between 7.8 and 11.0, you will need to go for a 2 hour oral glucose tolerance test. If you have 1 reading higher than the values in the chart on the right, you have gestational diabetes.
2. One Step Test: Go to the lab for a 2 hour oral glucose tolerance test. If you have 1 reading higher than the values in the chart on the right, you have gestational diabetes.
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Diagnosis of GDM during COVID-19
Diagnosis of Gestational Diabetes with 2 Step
Diagnosis of Gestational Diabetes with 1 Step
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Managing Gestational Diabetes
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Target Blood Sugars
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After your pregnancy:
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If you have Type 1 or 2 Diabetes
If you have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, it is very important to have good control of your diabetes prior to getting pregnant, as well as throughout your pregnancy. High blood sugars put you at risk of many complications including miscarriage, congenital malformations, high blood pressure, premature delivery and large birth weights. These risks can be prevented if you plan and manage your diabetes well.
Pre-pregnancy planning (3 to 6 months before conceiving):
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Target Blood Sugars
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During your pregnancy:
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After your pregnancy:
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Online Gestational Diabetes Class - Videos, Resources and Teaching Materials