How Will Gestational Diabetes Affect my Baby?

Having gestational diabetes does NOT mean your baby will have diabetes.

Gestational diabetes is not associated with increased risk of congenital malformations in the baby. However it is associated with large babies. The developing baby receives glucose and other nutrients from your blood stream. If your blood glucose levels are high, this excess glucose will be passed on to the baby through the placenta. Although the baby can produce more insulin as needed, he or she may gain extra weight in fat. This is known as "macrosomia". The birth weight of such babies is often 9 pounds (4kg) or greater. These babies can have more difficulties during delivery because of their large size. Labour may be slowed down or the baby may be too large for a vaginal delivery, therefore a caesarean section is more likely. There is also an increase in birth injuries when the baby is large.

Excess insulin produced by the baby can also lead to hypoglycemia (low blood glucose) within the first 24 hours after birth. This situation will quickly correct itself once the baby receives breast milk, supplemental sugar water or formula.

Your baby will not be born with diabetes.