Gestational Diabetes

Gestational diabetes (GDM) occurs during pregnancy, when hormones made by an expectant mother’s placenta keeps her body from using the insulin as it should. This is called insulin resistance. Women who develop GDM are not able to make enough extra insulin to make up for the increased insulin resistance of pregnancy. Blood sugar (glucose) builds up in the blood instead of being absorbed by cells in the body. Although GDM usually goes away after delivery, it is important for all women with GDM to get an oral glucose tolerance test between 6-12 weeks after giving birth. If a woman had GDM, she and her child become at increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life. 

GDM is one of the most common health problems for expectant mothers. Women who develop diabetes during pregnancy may require special medical care. Gestational diabetes care is provided in our adult diabetes clinic to develop a care plan to meet individual needs and lifestyles.

Diabetes in Pregnancy Program

The Diabetes in Pregnancy Program of the UMass Memorial Diabetes Center of Excellence aims to optimize the health of pregnant women with diabetes and their offspring.  Comprehensive blood glucose management is provided for women before, during, and after conception with all forms of pregestational and gestational diabetes.  

The program’s care team includes Endocrinologists Drs. Richard Haas and Madona Azar, Nurse Practitioner Alisa Kosla, and Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) Victoria Andersen. They each have many years of experience treating pregnant women with diabetes.  All efforts are made to see all women within one week of a scheduling request.  Linked appointments whereby a woman may see a diabetes educator and an Endocrinologist or NP back-to-back are frequently scheduled to enhance care.  Virtual telehealth visits are available as appropriate.