Gestational diabetes (GDM) is high blood sugar that develops during pregnancy. It is common in India, because women of South Asian origin have a higher risk. The good news is that with early testing, the right diet and monitoring, most women with gestational diabetes have healthy pregnancies and healthy babies.
What is gestational diabetes?
Pregnancy hormones from the placenta make the body less sensitive to insulin. Most women make extra insulin to compensate; when the body cannot keep up, blood sugar rises. GDM usually appears in the second half of pregnancy and goes away after delivery.
Who is at higher risk?
- South Asian (including Indian) family origin
- Being overweight (BMI above 30) before pregnancy
- Gestational diabetes in a previous pregnancy
- A previous baby weighing 4.5 kg or more
- A parent, brother or sister with diabetes
- PCOS, or pregnancy at an older age
Many women with gestational diabetes have no symptoms at all, which is why testing matters.
How is gestational diabetes tested?
The test uses a 75 g glucose drink and a blood sugar reading two hours later. India’s national guideline recommends testing every pregnant woman — once at the first antenatal visit and again at 24–28 weeks — and diagnoses GDM when the 2-hour value is 140 mg/dL or more. Some doctors use the longer oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) with fasting, 1-hour and 2-hour readings. Women with a previous GDM are tested earlier.
Why it matters for you and your baby
- A larger baby, which can make delivery harder and raise the chance of a caesarean
- Low blood sugar in the newborn after birth, and jaundice
- Higher risk of pre-eclampsia and early delivery
- A higher lifetime risk of type 2 diabetes for the mother
Gestational diabetes diet: tips for Indian meals
Diet is the first and most important treatment. You do not need to “eat for two” — you need to eat smartly, spread through the day:
- Eat 3 small meals and 2–3 snacks instead of large meals, and do not skip breakfast.
- Control portions of rice, roti, poha, upma and potatoes. Choose whole wheat, millets (jowar, bajra, ragi), brown rice or dalia over white rice, maida and bread.
- Add protein to every meal: dal, sprouts, chana, paneer, curd, eggs, fish or chicken.
- Half your plate should be vegetables or salad.
- Fruit, not juice: one small portion of whole fruit at a time, such as guava, apple, pear or orange. Limit mango, chikoo, grapes and banana.
- Avoid sugar and sweets: mithai, sugary chai, cold drinks, packaged juices, biscuits and bakery items.
- Walk for 10–15 minutes after meals, if your doctor agrees — it helps lower the after-meal sugar rise.
Checking your blood sugar at home
Your doctor may ask you to check your sugar with a glucometer and keep a record. Targets commonly used in pregnancy (ACOG) are:
| When | Target blood sugar |
|---|---|
| Fasting (on waking) | Below 95 mg/dL |
| 1 hour after a meal | Below 140 mg/dL |
| 2 hours after a meal | Below 120 mg/dL |
Your doctor may set slightly different targets for you.
Treatment if diet is not enough
If sugar levels stay above target despite diet and activity, your doctor may start metformin tablets or insulin. Insulin is very safe in pregnancy and is adjusted as your needs change. You will also have extra scans to check your baby’s growth.
Delivery and after birth
Many women with well-controlled gestational diabetes have a normal delivery. The NHS advises that it is best to give birth before 41 weeks. After birth your baby’s sugar is checked, and early breastfeeding helps keep it steady. For you, blood sugar usually returns to normal — but get a diabetes test 6–13 weeks after delivery and then every year, because the risk of type 2 diabetes stays higher.
Frequently asked questions
Will my baby be born with diabetes?
No. Babies are not born with diabetes because of GDM, but they may have low sugar soon after birth, and they have a higher chance of weight problems and diabetes later in life. A healthy family lifestyle helps.
Does gestational diabetes go away after delivery?
In most women, yes. But it is a warning sign for type 2 diabetes in the future, so follow-up tests and a healthy lifestyle are important.
Can I eat fruit if I have gestational diabetes?
Yes, in small portions of whole fruit — not juice — and ideally with a little protein such as nuts or curd. Your doctor or dietitian can guide portions.
Can I still have a normal delivery?
Often, yes. When sugars are well controlled and the baby is growing normally, a normal delivery is usually possible. The timing and mode of delivery are decided with your doctor.
Gestational diabetes care in Hadapsar, Pune
At Umang Hospital, glucose tests are done in our in-house pathology lab, and women with GDM are cared for by gynaecologist Dr. Asha Gavade under our high-risk pregnancy service, with regular sugar reviews and growth scans. Message us on WhatsApp at +91 83798 58585 or call +91 98907 99898 to book a consultation with Dr. Asha Gavade. OPD: Monday–Saturday, 10 AM–2 PM.
References
Also referred to: Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India — National Guidelines for Diagnosis & Management of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (2018).
Medical disclaimer: this article is for general information and does not replace a consultation. Every pregnancy and every body is different — please speak to your doctor about your own situation.