Newsroom | Community Health

By Jan Risden, M.D., Medical Director, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois

Angela had her first child when she was 21. Fifteen years later, at 36, she learned she was expecting her second. While her first pregnancy went smoothly, a complication occurred 25 weeks into her second — gestational diabetes.

After a routine glucose screening and a glucose tolerance test came back positive, Angela was diagnosed with gestational diabetes. This isn’t unusual. Diabetes can occur in as many as 10% of all pregnancies.

Angela altered her diet and attended a gestational diabetes education class, where she learned how bodies respond to sugars and carbohydrates during pregnancy, and how to record her blood sugar readings and keep a food journal.

After two weeks, Angela’s nutritionist reviewed her food log and blood sugar readings. But diet alone didn't control her blood sugar, so Angela began insulin injections. If left untreated, her gestational diabetes could increase her risk of complications. 

Angela’s doctors assured her the diabetes wasn’t her fault. Hormone fluctuations — normal during pregnancy — are the main reason women’s bodies struggle to control blood sugar during pregnancy. 

During her last two months of pregnancy, Angela’s OB/GYN monitored the size of the baby weekly. This was crucial because babies of mothers with gestational diabetes may grow too large, leading to early labor and C-section delivery. 

Angela gave birth to a healthy baby boy and the hospital staff closely monitored the blood sugar of mom and baby. Once the baby had three consecutive normal blood sugar readings, both were released from the hospital. Angela also nursed her baby because breast feeding reduces risk of mothers developing Type 2 diabetes.

Angela credits early detection, guidance from her health care team and routine physician care with the safe delivery of her son and her health management.  

To learn more about gestational diabetes, visit our online Connect Community. 

^{The above material is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for the independent medical judgment of a physician. Physicians and other health care providers are encouraged to use their own best medical judgment based upon all available information and the condition of the patient in determining the best course of treatment.} 

^{Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, a Division of Health Care Service Corporation, a Mutual Legal Reserve Company, an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association}