Gestational diabetes often presents no obvious symptoms, making routine screening vital to prevent risks for mother and baby. Experts highlight how early detection through standard testing can ensure better outcomes for both.
Gestational diabetes can arrive quietly in pregnancy, which is why routine screening matters so much. The condition is a rise in blood sugar that develops during pregnancy in people who did not previously have diabetes, and it often appears in the middle of pregnancy, around the 24th to 28th week. The French-language health feature in L’Union highlights how easily it can be missed when there are no obvious warning signs.
That silence is part of the danger. The US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention says gestational diabetes may cause no noticeable symptoms, although fatigue, thirst and frequent urination can occur. Mayo Clinic and Johns Hopkins Medicine similarly note that pregnancy hormones can interfere with the body’s use of insulin, allowing glucose levels to rise without producing dramatic early clues.
When it is not detected or controlled, the condition can affect both mother and baby. The CDC says higher blood sugar during pregnancy can increase the risk of a large baby, known as macrosomia, as well as newborn hypoglycaemia and breathing problems. It can also raise the mother’s risk of pre-eclampsia and increase the chance of developing type 2 diabetes later in life. The US Preventive Services Task Force says screening at 24 weeks of gestation or later helps identify the condition and is linked with better outcomes.
The good news is that gestational diabetes is usually manageable when found in time. Standard care includes blood sugar monitoring, a balanced diet, regular physical activity and, when needed, insulin. Risk is higher in people who are overweight, have a family history of type 2 diabetes or have had gestational diabetes before, according to the CDC, Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic and WebMD. The wider message from L’Union is simple: in pregnancy, a lack of symptoms does not necessarily mean a lack of risk.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
