Treatments for Gestational Diabetes

by Mary Calvagna, MS

• Main Page
• Risk Factors
• Symptoms
• Diagnosis
• Treatment
• Screening
• Reducing Your Risk
• Talking to Your Doctor
• Resource Guide

En Espaol (Spanish Version)

The treatment and management of gestational diabetes involves lifestyle modifications (such as eating a healthful diet and beginning an exercise program), frequent daily blood sugar testing; and possibly insulin.

Gestational diabetes treatment aims to control your blood sugar level, thereby reducing possible complications to you and your baby.

Treatment involves the following:

• Lifestyle changes
• Medications insulin
• Alternative and complementary therapies
• Other treatments

For gestational diabetes, surgical procedures are not a treatment option.

References:

American Diabetes Associationwebsite. Available at: http://www.diabetes.org/home.jsp .

National Institute of Child Health & Human Developmentwebsite. Available at: http://www.nichd.nih.gov/ .

Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes 2006 III. Detection and diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus. Diabetes Care. 2006;29:S7

Crowther CA, Hiller JE, Moss JR, et al. Effect of treatment of gestational diabetes mellitus on pregnancy outcomes. N Engl J Med. 2005; 352:2477-2486.

Last reviewed February 2007 by David Juan, MD

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.