Gestational Diabetes: Pregnancy Care That Matters Beyond Birth

Usually at 24-28 weeks with an oral glucose tolerance test. Earlier screening for high-risk women.

Management

• Carbohydrate-aware diet and physical activity
• Self-monitoring of blood glucose
• Insulin if glycaemic targets not met (some centres use metformin)
• Closer fetal surveillance

Postpartum

Glucose tolerance reassessment at 6-12 weeks postpartum, then annually. Lifestyle measures dramatically reduce future type 2 diabetes risk.

Maternal health beyond pregnancy

GDM is a window into future cardiovascular and metabolic risk.

Breastfeeding after GDM modestly reduces both maternal and child future diabetes risk.