Gestational Diabetes: Signs, Causes, and Natural Ways to Treat It

Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that only affects pregnant women. Normally, our bodies take the food we eat and turn it into glucose ( which is a type of sugar) that enters our bloodstream. In response, our pancreas sends insulin to help move that glucose from our blood to our cells where it’s used as energy. Without adequate insulin, blood sugar levels can build up in our blood, which is a problem.
Although the exact cause of gestational diabetes isn’t known, most doctors think it’s connected to hormones that the placenta makes.
It’s estimated that 9.2% of women will be diagnosed with gestational diabetes during their pregnancy.

What Are the Signs of Gestational Diabetes?
If your blood sugar is high, you’d know right away, right? Not necessarily. Most women don’t have any symptoms of gestational diabetes.
Other mamas experience:
increased thirst, increased urination, fatigue, and vaginal infections.
But what’s confusing is that all of those are also general pregnancy symptoms!
That’s why most midwive’s and doctor’s offices follow a general procedure called a Glucola test between weeks 24-28 of pregnancy.
For the test, you drink Glucola, which is a syrupy drink that contains 50 -- yes, 5-0 -- grams of sugar. It tastes like flat orange soda or flat lemon lime soda. Gross! We’ll talk more about that in a minute. After one hour, your blood sugar levels are checked. This test is sometimes called “the one-hour test” for that reason.
So if you fail, do you automatically have gestational diabetes? No.
If you fail the 1-hour test it means you’re at risk for developing gestational diabetes. You’ll need to take a second test -- called the 3-hour test -- to officially confirm diabetes (or not). The test is similar, except the sugar dosage is higher -- ugh! -- and you have to wait three hours instead of one.
If you fail the 3-hour test: You’re diagnosed with gestational diabetes.
If this sounds super gross to you, then you’re not alone. Many mamas find this syrupy concoction to be too much. Most feel sick or even throw up after drinking the glucola -- which is a big bummer because you have to redo the test if that happens!
There’s other problems with glucola too. Take a peek at the label and you’ll see:
Artificial colors
Artificial flavors
GMO corn syrup
glycerol ester made from wood pulp
brominated vegetable oil
So, what can you do about it?
Well, talk to your midwife or doctor. But usually you’ll have a few options.
You can try a different sugary food. Some healthcare providers will allow you to consume 50 grams of sugar from juice, jelly beans, or dates instead. There's even something called The Fresh Test which gives you the 50 grams of glucose with organic ingredients
Or, you can get a hemoglobin A1C screening: This test is done in the first or early second trimester. It tells you if you’ll develop diabetes later on, but it won’t be accurate if you’re dehydrated or anemic.
Or you can track your own blood sugar levels: Some doctors will let you track your blood sugar levels at home for two weeks with an at-home blood sugar meter.
WHAT HAPPENS if you’re diagnosed with gestational diabetes?
First, don’t worry mama. It is usually possible to manage gestational diabetes with just diet and exercise.
Here are 8 ways to combat gestational diabetes naturally:
Cut back on carbs, eat your greens and veggies, be sure you’re not D deficient, boost magnesium, get sleep, cut the late night snacking, get moving
Whew, a lot to consider. But know this… in most cases gestational diabetes is manageable with good diet and exercise. Work closely with your doctor to be sure your sugars are in good range as you don’t want to deal with the complications of unmanaged gestational diabetes.
And what are those, you ask?
For baby, shoulder dystocia, low blood sugar for baby at birth, jaundice, and respiratory problems.
For you, it can increase your risk of c-section, preeclampsia or pre-term birth.

[BM-ejqf]

I found out I got Gestational diabetes at 37 weeks of pregnancy and my baby is 3.8kg so now I am having a c-seseion tomorrow. Is my first Baby, I wanted to give normal birth, but God had other plans on how I should bring my baby into this world. Hopefully by the Grace of God everything goes well with me and my baby tomorrow. Thank you for this video.

[latina]

I passed my first one in April and now that i was 27/28 weeks I failed my 1 hour test which I had did a research on it since i was dehydrated when I did it. I had to repeated again today the 3 hour test. Now the glucose drink was 100 instead of 50😫 thank God it didn’t make me sick or anything like that. I hope I passed!! Praying everything went well and I was really hydrated this time.

[nerdvibe]

I threw up during the first test, second test they told me it’s inconclusive my glucose lvl was 170 they were wanting it at 130. My doctor said my baby is growing normal all his bones organs are perfect the amniotic fluid is really good and the placenta is in a great place doctor called it “a perfect pregnancy” I haven’t had any issues with high blood pressure or sugar the only problem I’ve been having is low blood sugar and pressure and that’s only occurred 3 times over the course of my pregnancy. I’m due in September so almost there. I want to opt out of the test but I’m on the fence.

[Fenghuang]

In my experience, my fasting glucose level in the morning is a bit elevated when I don't have a little snack before bedtime. Other than that, my glucose levels throughout the day are great.

[Vivtmbs]

It's hard to get good sleep with insomnia in pregnancy...lol but these tips are great! Thank you! Is there a magnesium you recommend that doesn't upset your stomach/cause a lot of gas?

[jasminalvarez]

Thank you for this information. I told my obgyn office I refuse to drink the glucose solution. The doctor explained why they do it and told me there is a possibility they could drop me from the practice. He did not offer alternatives.

[luciannebeans]

Good advice, but at nearly eleven weeks, anything besides simple carbohydrates makes me gag. I hope this subsides quickly so I can start eating better.

[taliaward]

Did the Fresh Test yesterday, and it was actually so yummy and easy to drink. Didn’t feel sick at all :).

[janjoy]

I took the 3 hr test at 25 weeks and passed.... but then I took a second 3hr test at 29 weeks and failed 2 out of 4 readings (hour 2 and 3 draws).
Is it possible to develop GT even after passing initial test?

[missjojohuia]

I go for my test this Thursday, I'm so worried!

[castroscorner]

What if my blood sugar is 157 30 mins after yoghurt, fruit and nuts but 125 1 hour after.
Am I safe? Or should I be concerned with the 30 min reading?

[melaniealcaraz]

I took my glucose test at 25 weeks and failed it, with my first pregnancy I failed the first test, too, but failed because they didn't tell me i was supposed to fast and retested, I passed the second test and wasn't diagnosed. With this pregnancy, my doctor didn't let me retest and said i have gestational diabetes after failing the 1st test. I'm so lost because my baby is measuring small according to my doctor, but is at normal weight and size if i didn't have gestational diabetes. I'm not taking insulin, they have me checking my levels after every meal. What can i do if my doctor doesn't want me to test? These doctors have me so stressed out 😓

[not.it]

You have to eat carbs during pregnancy. It's crucial for the development of your babies brain. Do not go low carb when pregnant. Just eat healthy carbs. Such as wholemeal bread and pastas. These are easy switches. Low GI carbs are more important that high sugar fruits in gestational diabetes! Your baby needs it!

[jenniferc.]

Why does our country not teach about parasites?

[stacywallen]

Is it common that the actual drink can make you sick for days? I was sick for a day after the 1 hour test but sick for 2 days & felt horrible for another day after my 3 hour

[joemacch]

The proper human diet…mostly red meats, organs (liver), some low carb veggies and increase of pure water. Water should be your only drink. If you can do light walking or really light resistance training with weights or bands that you can do while watching TV. You’ve got to under what the proper human diet is to begin with. Sadly doctors and nutritionist have no clue.

[sallyjones]

The glucola is not that bad at all lol people freak out over the stuff

[vincentwiese]

Potatoes are not a healthy carbohydrate and fruit is just sugar. Fructose is still Sugar.

[AdegbiteStephen-zzbl]

Thanks you Dr Igudia on YouTube for all you do in my life and my family. I went for a test today after taking the medication i ordered from Dr Igudia and I tested Type 2 diabetes negative. Thanks doctor I will keep letting the world know about your good work sir.

[nicolepotts]

Are you supportive of women with diet controlled GD having a home birth?