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Gestational diabetes is a form of diabetes that appears during pregnancy when the body cannot use insulin effectively, causing high blood sugar levels. This leads to higher-than-normal blood sugar levels. It is often diagnosed in the second or third trimester.
Globally, gestational diabetes affects up to 19% of pregnant women, and in Qatar the rate is much higher, reaching 31.6%, according to a 2024 study. Because of this, gestational diabetes is considered a significant health concern for expectant mothers in the Gulf country.
What Causes Gestational Diabetes?
During pregnancy, the body naturally changes how it uses insulin, becoming slightly less responsive so that more glucose can reach the growing baby. Most women respond by producing extra insulin to keep their blood sugar levels normal, which helps keep blood sugar levels stable.
Gestational diabetes develops when the body cannot make enough insulin to meet this increased demand. Several factors can contribute to this, including genetics, hormonal changes during pregnancy, inflammation, being overweight before pregnancy, or lifestyle habits such as an unhealthy diet and lack of physical activity.
How is Gestational Diabetes Diagnosed?
Doctors usually test for gestational diabetes between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy. The test measures blood sugar levels before and after drinking a special glucose drink to see how well the body handles sugar.
In Qatar, guidelines which also follow the recommendations of the International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups (IADPSG), advise that during pregnancy:
- Fasting blood sugar should be below 95 mg/dL
- One hour after eating, it should be below 140 mg/dL
- Two hours after eating, it should be below 120 mg/dL
These numbers help doctors decide whether blood sugar is within a healthy range.
Why Does it Matter?
Gestational diabetes can affect both mother and baby if not managed properly. For mothers, it increases the risk of high blood pressure during pregnancy, early delivery, and developing diabetes later in life.
For babies, it can lead to growing larger than expected or having low blood sugar shortly after birth.
The impact can continue beyond pregnancy. About 40% of women who have gestational diabetes may develop Type 2 diabetes within five years after giving birth. Children of mothers with gestational diabetes also have a higher chance of developing health issues such as obesity later in life. These long-term consequences highlight why the condition deserves attention, particularly through early detection and prevention.
Risk Factors
- Family history and genetic variants
A family history of diabetes is a well-known risk, primarily because it reflects shared genetic susceptibility within families. Several genetic variants have been identified that increase the risk of insulin resistance and impaired insulin secretion. These genetic changes can affect pancreatic beta-cell (insulin producers) function, insulin signalling and glucose metabolism.
- Overweight or obese?
Extra body weight makes it harder for the body to use insulin effectively. During pregnancy, insulin resistance naturally increases due to hormonal changes. In women who are obese, this baseline resistance is elevated even more. In addition, obesity is associated with increased production of pro-inflammatory cytokines causing metabolic dysfunction.
- Older maternal age
Women who become pregnant later in life have a higher chance of developing gestational diabetes because insulin sensitivity tends to decrease with age.
These factors do not guarantee that a woman will develop gestational diabetes, but they can increase the likelihood. Understanding them helps with early screening and prevention.
Screening, prevention and management
Most women are screened for gestational diabetes sometime between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy, but if someone has higher risk factors, their doctor may choose to test a little earlier just to be safe.
If gestational diabetes is diagnosed, it can usually be managed with a mix of healthy habits and, when necessary, medical support. Eating balanced meals, staying active, and following the guidance of healthcare providers can make a big difference in keeping blood sugar levels where they should be.
If healthy changes on their own don’t bring blood sugar levels down, doctors may suggest using insulin therapy to help control blood sugar levels. After giving birth, it is important to continue healthy habits and have regular check-ups, as women who have had gestational diabetes have a higher chance of developing Type 2 diabetes later in life.
Outlook
Gestational diabetes is becoming a significant health concern, particularly in Qatar, where the rates are higher than in many other countries. Its causes are complex, involving a mix of genetic factors, inflammation, metabolic stress, and lifestyle influences. Even so, gestational diabetes is manageable and, in many cases, steps can be taken to help prevent it. Making healthy choices before and during pregnancy plays an important role in lowering the risk.
After giving birth, regular check-ups and maintaining healthy habits continue to matter, as women who have had gestational diabetes have a higher chance of developing Type 2 diabetes later in life. By raising awareness and focusing on prevention, we can help support the long-term health of both mothers and their children.
Dr. Heba H. Al-Siddiqi is a scientist at the Diabetes Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute at Hamad Bin Khalifa University.
