Busting the 4 Biggest Myths About Gestational Diabetes

Being diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes (GDM) can be a huge source of stress for many pregnant women, as if pregnancy wasn’t stressful enough. It can be hard to discern what is truth and what is fiction when it comes to causes, management of, and long-term complications of GDM. We are here to help dispel some of these myths.

Here are 4 common myths we hear in practice:

Sugar

Myth: I ate way too much sugar before pregnancy and during my first trimester.

Fact: While sugar intake does play a role in blood sugar management, GDM  is largely related to hormones released in pregnancy and eating sugar cannot cause GDM by itself.

Carbohydrates

Myth: Because I have GDM, this means I cannot eat any carbohydrates.

Fact: Both your body and your baby need carbohydrates for proper metabolism and growth and development. It is important that you take in nutrient-dense carbohydrates (like whole grains, fruits, starchy vegetables, and dairy products), but sweets are even okay in moderation.

Complications

Myth: Having GDM automatically means that there will be complications with me and my baby.

Fact: Complications from GDM (such as delivering a large baby, neonatal hypoglycemia, and stillbirth) are more likely to occur when blood sugars are consistently high throughout pregnancy. Managing your blood sugars through proper eating, activity, and stress management decreases your risk of developing these complications.

Diabetes After Pregnancy

Myth: Now that I have GDM, I will have diabetes for life and will have to check my blood sugars every day for the rest of my life.

Fact: GDM usually goes away after you deliver the baby. It is still recommended that you get screened for diabetes 4-12 weeks postpartum and every 1-3 years after that with the increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes after having GDM.

If you need additional assistance with managing GDM, ask your provider to send a referral to the diabetes education program and/or meet with one of our dietitians.