What is gestational diabetes?

Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that is found for the first time when a woman is pregnant. Diabetes means that your blood glucose (also called blood sugar) is too high. Your body uses glucose for energy, but too much glucose in your blood can be harmful. When you are pregnant, too much glucose is not good for your baby.

What causes gestational diabetes?

Changing hormones and weight gain are part of a healthy pregnancy. But both changes make it hard for your body to keep up with its need for a hormone called insulin. When that happens, your body doesn’t get the energy it needs from the food you eat.

Diagnosed?

If you've been diagnosed with gestational diabetes, you can request a consult to see one of our diabetes education specialists or dietitians at 541-706-6348.

The registered nurses and registered dietitians in the St. Charles Diabetes Program are here to help you manage your gestational diabetes in Bend, Redmond, Prineville and Madras.