Gestational Diabetes Symptoms
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a type of diabetes that develops during pregnancy. It often has no obvious symptoms, which is why universal screening with the glucose tolerance test is recommended at 24–28 weeks.
What "Moderate" Means Here
A "moderate" rating means this symptom is common but is more likely to benefit from your provider’s input — either to confirm it’s within the normal range for you, to rule out an underlying cause, or to get a treatment recommendation beyond basic home remedies. It doesn’t necessarily mean something is wrong; many moderate symptoms are simply worth mentioning at your next appointment so your provider has full visibility into how your pregnancy is progressing. If it escalates in intensity or frequency, that’s a good reason to reach out sooner rather than waiting for your next scheduled visit. Providers generally appreciate patients flagging moderate symptoms proactively rather than waiting to see if they resolve, since the same symptom can mean different things depending on your individual health history, prior pregnancies, and how far along you are.
Timing During Pregnancy
This symptom is most often reported later in pregnancy. Third-trimester symptoms are frequently related to the growing uterus placing more pressure on nearby organs, joints, or blood vessels, or to the body preparing for labor. Because late-pregnancy symptoms can occasionally overlap with signs of labor or other conditions specific to the third trimester, it’s worth reviewing the "when to call your doctor" guidance below a bit more closely as your due date approaches. Many providers also schedule more frequent visits in the third trimester specifically so that new or worsening symptoms can be caught and addressed quickly.
Common Causes
- Pregnancy hormones (especially human placental lactogen) cause insulin resistance
- The pancreas cannot produce enough extra insulin to overcome pregnancy-related insulin resistance
- Risk factors: overweight or obesity, family history of diabetes, prior gestational diabetes, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), age over 35
Remedies That May Help
Blood Sugar Monitoring
Regular blood glucose testing (before and after meals) is the cornerstone of management.
Medical Nutrition Therapy
A registered dietitian creates a carbohydrate-controlled meal plan. Most women with GDM can control blood sugar with diet alone.
Regular Exercise
Walking 15–30 minutes after meals significantly lowers postprandial blood glucose.
Insulin or Oral Medications
If diet and exercise don't achieve target blood sugars, insulin (the safest choice in pregnancy) or metformin may be prescribed.
When to Call Your Doctor
- You have symptoms of high blood sugar: unusual thirst, frequent urination beyond normal pregnancy levels, blurred vision, or fatigue
- Blood glucose readings are consistently above targets
- You experience a low blood sugar episode (shakiness, dizziness, confusion) if you are on insulin
- Your baby seems to be growing very large (ultrasound findings)
Warning Signs That Always Warrant Immediate Care
Regardless of the specific symptom you’re looking up, general ACOG and CDC guidance is to seek immediate medical attention — call your provider’s urgent line, go to labor and delivery, or go to the ER — if you experience any of the following:
- Vaginal bleeding that is heavy, bright red, or accompanied by pain
- Severe or persistent abdominal or pelvic pain
- A severe headache that doesn’t improve with rest, water, or over-the-counter pain relief
- Sudden swelling of the face, hands, or feet, especially paired with a headache or vision changes
- Vision changes such as blurring, seeing spots, or temporary vision loss
- A noticeable decrease in your baby’s movement compared to their usual pattern
- Fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher
- Fluid leaking or gushing from the vagina
- Regular, painful contractions before 37 weeks
- Difficulty breathing, chest pain, or a rapid heartbeat
- Persistent vomiting that keeps you from keeping down fluids
- Severe itching, especially on the palms and soles, which can sometimes indicate a liver-related condition
This list reflects general warning signs recognized across pregnancy, not just for this specific symptom — when in doubt, it’s always appropriate to call your provider and describe what you’re experiencing rather than waiting to see if it resolves.
General Tips for Managing Pregnancy Symptoms
Alongside any symptom-specific remedies above, a handful of general habits tend to help with a wide range of pregnancy symptoms and are worth keeping in mind throughout your pregnancy:
- Stay consistently hydrated — many pregnancy symptoms, from headaches to fatigue to constipation, are worsened by even mild dehydration.
- Keep taking your prenatal vitamin as directed, since nutrient gaps (particularly iron, calcium, and vitamin D) can compound certain symptoms.
- Prioritize rest and sleep where you can, including resting on your side in later pregnancy, which supports circulation to the uterus.
- Stay gently active if your provider has cleared you for exercise — light movement like walking or prenatal yoga can ease many common complaints.
- Eat smaller, more frequent meals rather than three large ones, which can help with digestive symptoms and blood sugar swings.
- Keep a running list of questions between appointments so nothing gets forgotten when you do see your provider.
None of these general habits replace medical evaluation for a specific concerning symptom, but they’re a reasonable baseline to maintain throughout pregnancy regardless of what you’re experiencing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the symptoms of gestational diabetes?
Most women with GDM have no noticeable symptoms. In some cases, increased thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, or blurred vision may occur — but these also occur normally in pregnancy, making symptoms unreliable.
When is gestational diabetes screening done?
Universal screening is recommended between 24 and 28 weeks with a glucose challenge test (GCT) or oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). High-risk women may be screened earlier.
Does gestational diabetes go away after birth?
Yes — blood sugars normalize for most women shortly after delivery. However, having GDM increases the lifetime risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 50%, so follow-up testing is recommended.
Can gestational diabetes harm my baby?
Uncontrolled GDM is associated with the baby growing too large (macrosomia), making delivery more difficult, and the baby having low blood sugar after birth. Well-controlled GDM significantly reduces these risks.
Can gestational diabetes be prevented?
Maintaining a healthy weight before pregnancy and following a balanced diet reduces risk. Exercise before and during pregnancy also has protective effects.
How do I know if a pregnancy symptom needs medical attention?
As a general rule, contact your provider if a symptom is severe, sudden, rapidly worsening, or paired with other concerning symptoms like fever, vision changes, or reduced fetal movement — even if it doesn’t appear on a specific warning-signs list. You know your body best, and providers consistently say they’d rather field a call about something that turns out to be normal than have a patient wait through something that wasn’t.
Should I track this symptom before my next appointment?
It’s a good habit to jot down when a symptom started, how often it occurs, roughly how intense it feels, and anything that seems to make it better or worse. This kind of record is genuinely useful to your provider — it turns a vague "I’ve been having some discomfort" into something they can actually assess for patterns, and it can help you notice on your own whether a symptom is improving, staying steady, or getting worse over time.
Is it normal for pregnancy symptoms to come and go?
Yes — many pregnancy symptoms fluctuate day to day or even hour to hour, influenced by things like hydration, activity level, meal timing, and simple positional changes. Fluctuation on its own usually isn’t a red flag. What’s more worth flagging to your provider is a symptom that is steadily trending worse over days or weeks, or one that suddenly becomes much more intense than your usual pattern.