INTERVENTIONS

DURING PREGNANCY &

LABOR
Blood sugar level monitoring to
determine whether GDM can
be managed by diet &
exercise; every hour during
labor
Diet prescribed by your doctor
Insulin (if diet cannot control
blood sugar levels)
Exercise or continue if you
already have an active lifestyle
Monitor weight
Monitor for signs of infection
Report any burning and pain
on urination, vaginal discharge
or itching, or any other signs of
infection to your doctor
Labor depletes stored sugar;
insulin or glucose may be
provided via IV
Monitor babys status for signs
of distress

INTERVENTIONS
AFTER BIRTH
Your blood sugar levels will
likely return to normal levels
after childbirth.
Your health care team will
monitor your blood sugar
levels closely after birth and
determine any dietary/insulin
needs.
Your baby may be larger than
normal and some
complications may occur such
a low blood sugar & jaundice.
Doctor may require another
oral glucose intolerance test at
6-12 weeks after birth or after
breastfeeding has stopped.

References:

Lowdermilk, D.L., Perry, S.E., & Cashion, K. (2014). Maternity Nursing. (8th
ed.). Maryland Heights, MO: Elsevier
Silvestri, L .A. (2014). Saunders Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN
Examination. (6th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier

Gestational
Diabetes
Mellitus
(GDM)

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What is Gestational Diabetes?

Gestational Diabetes occurs during pregnancy, typically in the second or third

trimester, in mothers who have not been previously diagnosed with diabetes. As your
baby demands more nutrients from you, your body requires more nutrients to maintain
normal blood sugar (glucose) levels. The more nutrients your body requires, the more
your body demands insulin, which helps your blood sugar levels from getting to high or
too low. When your pancreas is unable to respond to the demand for more insulin or
insulin is not used effectively, gestation diabetes results.

GDM typically
disappears after
pregnancy

(Lowdermilk, 2014)

How do you know if you have

GDM?

Are you at risk?

What might you experience?

Screening for GDM occurs

between 24 and 28 weeks
of pregnancy

Older than 35 years of age

Excessive thirst

Obese

Hunger

A 1-hour oral glucose

tolerance test (OGTT) will
be performed.

Latina, Native American, Asian,

African-American decent

If a positive screen occurs

it will be followed by a 3hour glucose tolerance
test to confirm GDM

Previous pregnancy with GDM

Your doctor will provide

you details on the oral
glucose tolerance test

Pregnant with twins or more

Family history of Diabetes Mellitus

or GDM
Diagnosed with Diabetes Mellitus
before pregnancy
Baby is large for pregnancy
(gestational) age

Weight loss
Frequent urination
Blurred Vision
Recurrent UTI and vaginal yeast
infections
Glucose in urine; Ketones in urine
Signs of pregnancy (gestational)
high blood pressure
Large baby for pregnancy
(gestational) age
Increased amniotic fluid