Skip to main content
Accessibility help
Home

Proudly Part of Jefferson Health

Main Menu

  • Find
    • Doctors
    • Locations
    • Services
  • Do
    • Log in to MyLVHN
    • Pay a Bill
  • Explore
    • Jefferson Health
    • Give
Questions? 888-402-LVHN (5846) Contact Us

Careers

  • All Careers
  • Nursing Careers
  • Physician and APC Careers
  • Residencies and Fellowships

Make an Appointment

  • Current doctor
  • New doctor
  • First available
  • Video visit

COVID-19

Patient Information

  • Patient & Visitor Information
  • Medical Records
  • Accepted Insurances
  • Financial Services
  • Institutes
  • Health Tips, Patient Stories & News
  • Events, Classes & Groups
  • Clinical Trials
  • About LVHN

For Clinicians

  • Refer a Patient
  • Careers
  • Research & Clinical Trials
  • Education
  • Institutes
  • About LVHN

Find

Doctors Locations Services Careers

Search LVHN Site

Suggested Links

  • Careers
  • Children's Hospital
  • Pay a Bill
  • Medical Records

What type of appointment are you looking for?

Appointment with

I am an existing patient I am a new patient

Gestational Diabetes (Diabetes in Pregnancy)

Gestational diabetes is a condition in which a woman without diabetes develops high glucose (blood sugar) levels during pregnancy. Pregestational diabetes refers to women with diabetes who become pregnant. Both disorders bring risks to significant pregnancy and postpartum complications.

  • More Information
  • More

    • Home
    • Doctors
    • Services
  • Home
  • Doctors
  • Services

Page Hierarchy

  1. Conditions
  2. Diabetes
  3. Gestational Diabetes (Diabetes in Pregnancy)

There are two types of diabetes that are seen commonly in pregnancy. There are women who already have diabetes who become pregnant (pregestational diabetes) and women who develop glucose intolerance or diabetes during the pregnancy (gestational diabetes). Pregestational diabetes can be associated with higher rates of birth defects, miscarriage, preterm birth, high blood pressure issues and problems with fetal growth. Women with gestational diabetes may have similar complications. In both cases, control of blood sugar (blood glucose) during pregnancy can decrease complications. Women with gestational diabetes are at high risk for developing type 2 diabetes later in life.

What causes gestational diabetes?

Unlike type 1 diabetes, gestational diabetes is not caused by a lack of insulin, but by other hormones produced during pregnancy that can make insulin less effective, a condition referred to as insulin resistance. Approximately 3 to 8 percent of all pregnant women in the United States are diagnosed with gestational diabetes.

Although the cause of gestational diabetes is not known, there are some theories as to why the condition occurs. The placenta supplies a growing fetus with nutrients and water, and also produces a variety of hormones to maintain the pregnancy. Some of these hormones (estrogen, cortisol and human placental lactogen) can have a blocking effect on insulin. This is called insulin resistance, which usually begins about 20 to 24 weeks into the pregnancy.

As the placenta grows, more of these hormones are produced, and insulin resistance becomes greater. Normally, the pancreas is able to make additional insulin to overcome insulin resistance, but when the production of insulin is not enough to overcome the effect of the placental hormones, gestational diabetes results.

Screening for gestational diabetes

The American Diabetes Association recommends screening for undiagnosed type 2 diabetes at the first prenatal visit for women with diabetes risk factors. In pregnant women not known to have diabetes, gestational diabetes testing should be performed at 24 to 28 weeks of gestation. In addition, women with diagnosed gestational diabetes should be screened for persistent diabetes six to 12 weeks after birth (postpartum). It also is recommended that women with a history of gestational diabetes undergo lifelong screening for the development of diabetes or prediabetes at least every three years.

Treatment for gestational diabetes

Gestational diabetes treatment focuses on keeping blood glucose levels in the normal range. Some oral diabetes medications are used during pregnancy, but many times insulin is the preferred medication. Treatment may include some or all of the following:

  • Special diet
  • Exercise
  • Daily blood glucose monitoring
  • Insulin injections
  • Metformin or glyburide pills

LVHN Diabetes in Pregnancy Program

Lehigh Valley Health Network’s Diabetes in Pregnancy Program (DIPP) is unique to the region and focuses on the care and management of women diagnosed with gestational diabetes. Our Comprehensive Diabetes in Pregnancy Program (CDIPP) focuses on women with a history of diabetes and focuses on improving control prior to conception and during pregnancy. Maternal fetal medicine specialists (perinatologists), endocrinologists, nurse practitioners, nutritionists and diabetes educators work together in our program to care for women with diabetes in pregnancy and lower the chances of associated complications.

Experiencing symptoms of diabetes?

Make an appointment for a diabetes assessment.

Find a Doctor

Customer Service

888-402-LVHN (5846)
Contact Us
Mon - Fri:
7 am – 8 pm
Saturday:
9 am – 5 pm
Sunday:
9 am – 5 pm

Support

  • For Referring Physicians
  • For Health Professionals
  • For Employers
  • Website Feedback
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions

About LVHN

  • About Us
  • Give
  • Careers
  • Volunteer
  • Health Tips, News & Stories
  • Events
  • Shop
  • Price Transparency

Social

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn

©2025 Lehigh Valley Health Network. Image content is used for illustrative purposes only.