Hi mummas,
As pregnancy enters the middle months, your body naturally produces hormones that make insulin work less effectively. This increase in insulin resistance is normal, but in some women it causes blood sugar levels to rise. When this happens for the first time during pregnancy, it is called gestational diabetes.
In India, GDM is increasingly common and often has no clear symptoms. That is why screening between 24 and 28 weeks is recommended. Testing at the right time helps detect changes early and prevent complications for both mother and baby.
The reassuring part is that with timely diagnosis and proper care, most women with gestational diabetes go on to have healthy pregnancies and healthy babies.
What is Gestational diabetes (GDM)?
Gestational Diabetes is diabetes that develops during pregnancy.
In urban India, studies show that it may affect more than 1 in 5 pregnant women. That is quite significant.
It happens because pregnancy hormones increase insulin resistance. The placenta produces hormones that make it harder for insulin to work properly. If the pancreas cannot produce enough insulin to compensate, blood sugar rises.
This is not your fault. It is a physiological change.
But it must be detected and managed.
Why is 24–28 weeks important?
Between 24 and 28 weeks:
- Placental hormones increase
- Insulin resistance rises
- Blood sugar problems become more visible
That is why screening at this stage is crucial.
How is the test done? (OGTT Method)
The standard method involves:
- Fasting overnight for 8–12 hours
- Blood sample taken for fasting sugar
- Drinking 75 grams glucose mixed in water
- Blood samples taken at 1 hour and 2 hours
During the 2-hour period, you should sit quietly and not exert yourself.
Some women feel nausea after the glucose drink. This is common and temporary.
According to ADA criteria, GDM is diagnosed if:
- Fasting sugar is 92 mg/dL or higher
- 1-hour sugar is 180 mg/dL or higher
- 2-hour sugar is 153 mg/dL or higher
Quick tip
Do not skip your 24–28 week glucose test even if you feel completely fine. Gestational diabetes often has no symptoms, and timely screening is the only way to detect it early and protect your baby.
DIPSI method (Common in India)
In many Indian settings, the DIPSI test is used because it is simpler.
It does not require fasting.
You drink 75 grams of glucose, and a single blood sample is taken after 2 hours.
If the 2-hour value is 140 mg/dL or higher, GDM is diagnosed.
This method is practical in busy clinics and rural settings.
What happens if GDM is diagnosed?
First, do not panic.
Most women with GDM have completely healthy babies when managed properly.
Management includes:
- Structured diet plan
- Regular walking (unless medically restricted)
- Home blood sugar monitoring
- Medication like metformin or insulin if needed
- More frequent prenatal visits
Good sugar control reduces risks like:
- Excessive baby weight
- Difficult delivery
- Cesarean section
Newborn low sugar levels
In Indian families, diabetes is often taken lightly until it becomes serious.
Pregnancy is not the time to ignore blood sugar.
Testing early and again in mid-pregnancy is not about creating fear. It is about prevention.
With timely screening, proper diet and regular follow-ups, most women manage blood sugar beautifully and deliver healthy babies.
Knowledge and monitoring are your strongest tools.
Take your tests seriously, follow medical advice and remember — controlled diabetes is manageable. Ignored diabetes is risky.
Faster Care Tip: Skip the pharmacy rush! Order your baby care essentials and medicines online — it’s fast, safe, and delivered right to your doorstep. A few clicks today can save you a last-minute pharmacy run tomorrow.
Last medically reviewed on January 20, 2026 by Dr. Bhavya Doshi Jain
MBBS (AFMC), MS, FMAS, MNAMS, PDCC ( AIIMS R)
Consultant Obstetrician and Gynecologist
