What are the treatment options for gestational diabetes?

Gestational diabetes means blood glucose is higher than the pregnancy team wants during pregnancy. Care aims to support your health and reduce the effects of high glucose on pregnancy and birth. The plan is based on your readings, pregnancy stage, food pattern, activity, medicines and the baby's growth.

A Glucose Tolerance Test helps assess glucose handling when gestational diabetes is suspected or being diagnosed. Ongoing care may include finger-prick checks, food guidance and review within an Antenatal Care Package. Do not change prescribed treatment without advice.

Your team may ask you to check glucose at agreed times, record the results and notice how meals, movement and illness affect them. A dietitian or diabetes clinician can help adapt portions and carbohydrate choices without encouraging restrictive dieting in pregnancy.

If readings stay above the agreed target despite lifestyle measures, medication may be recommended. This can include insulin or another medicine selected by your maternity team. Additional Growth Scans may check the baby's size, fluid and wellbeing, and the team will discuss birth planning as pregnancy progresses.

Contact your maternity or diabetes team if readings repeatedly exceed your agreed target, you cannot keep fluids down, or you feel unwell. Seek urgent help for fainting, confusion, severe weakness, heavy breathing or reduced fetal movements. Continue following your sick-day instructions while waiting for advice.

Ask what your glucose targets are, when to test, how to respond to a high or low reading, and when medication should be considered. Clarify how often scans are planned, who reviews your log, and what monitoring or birth arrangements may be needed after delivery.