Gestational diabetes (also called GDM) is elevated blood sugar that occurs during pregnancy. It can be frustrating because many women don't experience any symptoms at all, which is precisely why most are offered screening during pregnancy. Here's a practical guide to the symptoms of gestational diabetes you can look out for, how it's typically detected, and what your next steps might be if you're unsure.

Symptoms of gestational diabetes can resemble common pregnancy discomforts, making them difficult to use as "proof." Nevertheless, knowing what might be worth reacting to can provide peace of mind.

You may experience:

• Increased thirst
• More frequent urination than usual (beyond the "normal" pregnancy pressure)
• Pronounced fatigue that feels different from your usual pregnancy fatigue
• Blurred vision
• Repeated infections, e.g., yeast infections or bladder infections

If you experience several of these at once, or if they appear suddenly and intensely, it's a good idea to discuss it with your midwife or doctor.

Many women experience no clear symptoms of gestational diabetes. This is not because you "should have noticed," but because elevated blood sugar can develop gradually and without clear signals.

The body is already undergoing significant hormonal changes, and symptoms such as fatigue, increased thirst, and frequent toilet visits can also be an entirely expected part of pregnancy. Therefore, screening and blood tests are important tools when healthcare professionals assess risk.

Gestational diabetes is most often detected by a glucose tolerance test (OGTT) or other blood sugar measurements at the doctor's discretion.

If you have symptoms, or just an unease you can't shake, bring it up at your next consultation and ask specifically:

• "Should I be tested earlier?"
• "Are there any signs in my measurements or urine samples that we should follow up on?"
• "Which symptoms should I react to from now on?"

It's perfectly reasonable to ask for a clear plan.

You may be offered extra monitoring or earlier testing if, for example, you:

• Have had gestational diabetes before
• Have diabetes in your close family
• Have PCOS
• Have previously given birth to a very large baby (as assessed by a professional)
• Have a higher BMI before pregnancy (assessed individually)

This is not about "blame" but a way to identify the need for extra support and follow-up.

You don't have to solve it alone. A good, concrete next step is to contact your midwife or doctor and describe your symptoms, when they started, and whether they change after meals.

• When you feel the most thirst or fatigue
• Whether you wake up at night to urinate (and how often)
• Whether you have had recent infections
• Any sudden change in well-being

This makes it easier for healthcare professionals to assess whether you need to be tested or monitored more closely.

If you are recommended more gentle movement in everyday life, comfort can make it easier to stick to good routines. Some pregnant women, for example, may benefit from a support belt to relieve the abdomen and lower back when the body feels heavier: Support belts.

As your body changes, a bra without a metal underwire can also be nice, as it can provide support without constricting. Here, a gel-support solution can be a flexible alternative: Gel-Support® maternity and nursing bra.

Finally, soft, supportive leggings can make everyday movement more comfortable: Maternity leggings.