Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) often does not cause any symptoms. Those who do may have ones that are like diabetes. They may be:

  • Increased urination—A buildup of glucose pulls water out of the body’s tissues and into the blood. This extra water is turned into urine.
  • Thirst—Urinating more causes the body to need more fluids.
  • Nausea—Changes in blood glucose levels can cause feelings of nausea.
  • Weakness—Fatigue happens when cells do not get enough glucose to use for energy.
REFERENCES:

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Committee on Practice Bulletins—Obstetrics. Practice Bulletin No. 190: Gestational Diabetes Mellitus. Obstet Gynecol. 2018 Feb;131(2):e49-e64.

Gestational diabetes. American Diabetes Association website. Available at: https://www.diabetes.org/diabetes/gestational-diabetes. Accessed January 14, 2020.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at:https://www.dynamed.com/condition/gestational-diabetes-mellitus-gdm. Updated December 18, 2019. Accessed January 14, 2020.

Last reviewed September 2019 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Beverly Siegal, MD, FACOG  Last Updated: 11/18/2020