HealthPartners - Your guide to pregnancy

GESTATIONAL DIABETES

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE Even if your blood pressure was normal before you became pregnant, you may develop high blood pressure during your pregnancy, called gestational hypertension. It doesn’t usually cause any symptoms. Your health care provider will check your blood pressure at every checkup and may prescribe a medication to keep it under control.

Gestational diabetes only happens during pregnancy (gestation). Like other types of diabetes, gestational diabetes affects how your cells use sugar (glucose). Insulin is a hormone

that regulates the body’s glucose level. When your body does not make enough insulin or makes too much glucose, the level of sugar in your blood becomes too high. This condition usually goes away after pregnancy. But if you have had gestational diabetes, you are more likely to develop permanent diabetes later in life that will require medication. You are more likely to develop gestational diabetes if you are obese, have had gestational diabetes in a previous pregnancy, have given birth to a large (more than 9 pounds) infant, have a history of stillborn babies, or have a family history of diabetes. People diagnosed with gestational diabetes are usually asked to check their blood sugar daily and change their diet. Eating fewer calories at smaller meals during the day can help. Limiting carbohydrates and eating more complex carbohydrates, such as corn, beans, whole-grain rice, pasta, and whole-grain bread, is recommended. Avoid foods with simple carbohydrates (sugars) that break down too quickly. Sometimes changing the types and amounts of food you eat doesn’t help keep your blood sugars in a normal range and then your provider may recommend medication. GROUP B STREPTOCOCCUS The group B streptococcus (GBS) bacteria is present in 1 out of 3 pregnant people. It is usually found in the vagina or the rectum. GBS is usually harmless to the parent, although it can be passed to the baby during childbirth. Some babies will develop a GBS infection immediately after birth or within a few weeks of being born. These infections can be very serious and even life-threatening to a newborn. Vaginal and rectal cultures taken between 35 and 37 weeks of pregnancy can determine if you carry the GBS bacteria. If you test positive, you’ll receive antibiotics during labor to protect your baby. You may also receive antibiotics during labor if you have other symptoms that could cause problems for your baby.

If you had high blood pressure before you became pregnant, keep taking your medications as directed and tell your provider about your condition at your first prenatal visit. You can have a healthy baby even if you have high blood pressure, although you may be at higher risk for:

• Placental abruption • Breathing problems

• Side effects from medications • Needing to change medications Blood pressure tips • Eat healthy and limit salt • Don’t gain too much weight • Take your medication regularly • Go to all your prenatal visits • Stay active — get out for a walk

Even when managed well by medication and lifestyle choices, gestational hypertension may still lead to a very serious and life-threatening condition called preeclampsia . See the next section for information about who is at risk, preeclampsia symptoms, and what to do if you have them.

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