Diabetes in Pregnancy

Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Diabetes Centre's specialised and highly experienced team provide obstetric and intensive diabetes management.

Gestational Diabetes

If you have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), it means your blood glucose levels (BGLs) are higher than they should be during pregnancy. You're not alone - around 1 in 6 pregnant women have gestational diabetes. You should be able to manage your condition through nutrition and exercise. We're here to support you.

Excellent information on GDM can be accessed from the National Diabetes Service Scheme (NDSS) website which also provides information in other languages: https://www.ndss.com.au/about-diabetes/gestational-diabetes/

There are also videos on different aspects of gestational diabetes management and support: https://www.ndss.com.au/about-diabetes/gestational-diabetes/understanding-gestational-diabetes/

Here's what you need to do if you are having your pregnancy care at RPA Women's and Babies Service.

• Attend a dietary education session as this is the main way of managing your GDM. This group session is led by a dietitian to help explain the diet and ensure that you are eating enough to meet you and your baby's needs.
  
  

The online group session will be held every Wednesday at 10 am.

• Please click on this link to join the group session

You will now also need to check your blood glucose level (BGL) with a blood glucose meter.

• https://www.accu-chek.com.au/support/guide-me#videos-section
  
  
• You may like to utilise the mySugr app to help track your results Apple mySugr app link OR Android mySugr app link
  
  
• https://diabetes.ascensia.com.au/support/instructional-videos/ including using the Contour Diabetes App

• If you have Medicare then the BG strips can be subsidised by registering with the NDSS https://www.ndss.com.au/about-the-ndss/registration/. This needs to be certified either by the chemist or your GP or email the completed form to the Diabetes Centre.

Keeping in contact with us

• Hopefully eating well and moving more will help your BGL stay in the normal level for pregnancy (<5.2 mmol/L when you wake up in the morning (fasting) and < 7.5 mmol/L 1 hour after the start of eating breakfast, lunch or dinner).
  
  
• If over a week you have 3 or more BGLs equal to or higher than 5.2 mmol/L fasting or equal to or higher than 7.5mmol/L 1 hour after eating a particular meal, we would like you to email it to SLHD-RPADiabPregnancy@health.nsw.gov.au for review.

Please email us on: SLHD-RPADiabPregnancy@health.nsw.gov.au or call the Diabetes Centre on 9515 5888 if you have any questions.

We will see you in line with your next Antenatal Clinic appointment.