Gestational Diabetes Treatment

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Gestational Diabetes Treatment Clinic in London

Specialist Gestational Diabetes Care from Experienced Consultant Obstetricians

Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that develops during pregnancy when blood glucose (blood sugar) levels become higher than normal. It is one of the most common medical conditions affecting pregnancy and usually develops during the second or third trimester. Although gestational diabetes often resolves after your baby is born, careful monitoring and treatment throughout pregnancy are essential to reduce the risk of complications for both mother and baby. With appropriate management, the vast majority of women go on to have healthy pregnancies and healthy babies.

At Gynaecology Clinic London, our experienced consultant obstetricians provide comprehensive assessment, diagnosis, treatment and ongoing management for women with gestational diabetes. We offer personalised care throughout your pregnancy, combining expert obstetric assessment, regular fetal monitoring and evidence-based treatment to help maintain healthy blood glucose levels, support your baby’s growth and development, and minimise the risk of complications during pregnancy, labour and delivery.

Whether you have recently been diagnosed following an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), have risk factors that increase your likelihood of developing gestational diabetes, or would like a specialist second opinion regarding your pregnancy, our consultants provide expert obstetric care from diagnosis through to delivery and your postnatal follow-up.

Dr Luxmi Velauthar
MBChB, MRCOG, MD

Why Choose Gynaecology Clinic London?

Consultant-Led Obstetric Care

Your pregnancy is managed by experienced consultant obstetricians with expertise in caring for women with gestational diabetes, providing continuity of care from diagnosis through to delivery and your postnatal follow-up.

Comprehensive Assessment

We carry out a detailed assessment of your pregnancy, medical history, blood glucose control, and individual risk factors to develop a personalised management plan that supports the health of both you and your baby throughout your pregnancy.

Evidence-Based Treatment

Your care follows current evidence-based guidelines, combining dietary advice, blood glucose monitoring, lifestyle management, medication where appropriate, and regular obstetric review to help maintain healthy blood glucose levels and achieve the safest possible pregnancy outcome.

Ongoing Pregnancy Monitoring

Regular antenatal appointments, blood glucose reviews, ultrasound scans and fetal monitoring allow us to monitor your baby's growth and development, assess your pregnancy, and adjust your treatment as your pregnancy progresses.

Accepted by Major Health Insurers

We welcome both self-pay and insured patients and work with most major private health insurers, making it as straightforward as possible to access specialist obstetric care throughout your pregnancy.

Fast Access to Appointments

Private care provides rapid access to experienced consultant obstetricians, pregnancy investigations, ultrasound scans, specialist monitoring, and ongoing treatment without unnecessary delays, giving you reassurance and expert support throughout your pregnancy.

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Expert gynaecological care tailored to your individual needs.

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Book Your Consultation

Expert gynaecological care tailored to your individual needs.

Book a Consultation

Fees and Pricing

Clear and transparent pricing is an important part of planning your care. The following guide outlines our consultation fees. If further investigations, procedures, or treatments are recommended, these will be discussed with you in advance so that you fully understand the costs involved.

Initial
Consultation

£250

Your initial consultation includes a comprehensive assessment of your symptoms and medical history, along with any appropriate examinations, investigations, and treatment options. A personalised care plan will be developed based on your individual needs.

Follow-Up
Consultation

£200

Follow-up consultations provide an opportunity to review your progress, discuss investigation results, assess your response to treatment, and ensure your care plan continues to meet your needs.

Dr Luxmi Velauthar, Consultant Gynaecologist

What Is Gestational Diabetes?

Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that develops during pregnancy when blood glucose (blood sugar) levels become higher than normal because the body cannot produce enough insulin to meet the increased demands created by pregnancy hormones. These hormones naturally make the body’s cells more resistant to insulin, meaning glucose remains in the bloodstream instead of being used efficiently for energy. Although gestational diabetes usually resolves after your baby is born, maintaining healthy blood glucose levels throughout pregnancy is essential to protect both mother and baby and reduce the risk of pregnancy complications.

Most women are diagnosed between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy following an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). However, women with certain risk factors may be offered screening earlier in pregnancy. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment allow blood glucose levels to be managed effectively, significantly reducing the risk of complications during pregnancy, labour and delivery while supporting the healthy growth and development of your baby.

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A Women Doing her own Diabetes Test at Home

Who Is at Risk of Gestational Diabetes?

Gestational diabetes can affect any pregnant woman, although some women have a higher risk of developing the condition. Having one or more risk factors does not necessarily mean you will develop gestational diabetes, but additional monitoring and earlier screening may be recommended to ensure any rise in blood glucose levels is identified as early as possible.

Consultant reviewing a scan with a patient

Risk factors include being overweight before pregnancy, having had gestational diabetes during a previous pregnancy, having a close family history of diabetes, previously giving birth to a baby weighing more than 4.5 kg (approximately 10 pounds), having polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), belonging to certain higher-risk ethnic groups, or being over the age of 40 when pregnant. Your consultant will assess your individual risk factors and recommend the most appropriate screening and monitoring throughout your pregnancy.

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Consultant doing a pregnancy checkup with a patient

Symptoms of Gestational Diabetes

Many women with gestational diabetes experience no noticeable symptoms, which is why routine screening during pregnancy is so important. In many cases, the condition is only identified through blood tests performed as part of routine antenatal care. When symptoms do occur, they may develop gradually and can easily be mistaken for the normal changes associated with pregnancy.

Possible symptoms include increased thirst, passing urine more frequently than usual, tiredness, blurred vision, dry mouth, and recurrent infections such as thrush or urinary tract infections. If you experience any of these symptoms during pregnancy, it is important to discuss them with your consultant or midwife so that appropriate investigations can be arranged.

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Women Doing her own Diabetes Test at Home

How Is Gestational Diabetes Diagnosed?

Gestational diabetes is usually diagnosed using an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), which is routinely offered between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy. Women who have significant risk factors may be offered screening earlier. The test involves measuring your blood glucose level after fasting, followed by drinking a glucose solution and having further blood samples taken over the next two hours. The results determine whether your blood glucose levels are within the normal range or indicate gestational diabetes.

Dr Luxmi Velauthar reviewing a patient at a follow-up appointment

In addition to the OGTT, your consultant will review your medical history, pregnancy history, family history and any risk factors you may have. Once a diagnosis has been confirmed, further assessment may include home blood glucose monitoring and regular antenatal appointments to assess how well your blood glucose levels are controlled. Your baby’s growth and wellbeing will also be monitored throughout the pregnancy, allowing your consultant to adjust your treatment where necessary and reduce the risk of complications for both you and your baby.

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Healthy Diet for Gestational Diabetes Management

Treatment for Gestational Diabetes

The aim of treatment is to maintain healthy blood glucose levels throughout pregnancy while supporting your baby’s normal growth and development. Effective treatment significantly reduces the risk of complications during pregnancy, labour and delivery, helping both mother and baby remain healthy. Your consultant will develop an individual management plan based on your blood glucose readings, stage of pregnancy, overall health and your baby’s growth.Many women are able to achieve excellent blood glucose control through dietary changes, regular physical activity and careful blood glucose monitoring, supported by personalised advice throughout their pregnancy.

Medication for Gestational Diabetes Management

If lifestyle measures alone do not adequately control blood glucose levels, medication may be recommended. This may include metformin or insulin therapy, depending on your individual circumstances and current clinical guidelines.Throughout your pregnancy, your treatment will be reviewed regularly alongside ongoing antenatal assessments and monitoring of your baby’s growth, allowing adjustments to be made where necessary to maintain good blood glucose control and provide the safest possible outcome for both you and your baby.

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Ultrasound machine used for pelvic imaging

Ongoing Monitoring During Pregnancy

Women with gestational diabetes require closer monitoring throughout pregnancy to assess both maternal health and your baby’s wellbeing. Regular antenatal appointments allow your consultant to review your blood glucose readings, assess how well your treatment is controlling your blood sugar levels, adjust your management plan where necessary, and monitor your baby’s growth and development using ultrasound examinations when appropriate.This ongoing assessment helps ensure that both you and your baby continue to progress safely throughout the pregnancy.

Consultant reviewing pregnancy progress with a patient

Monitoring may also include blood pressure assessments, urine testing, fetal growth scans, and discussions about your baby’s movements and your overall pregnancy progress. Depending on your individual circumstances, additional ultrasound scans or more frequent antenatal appointments may be recommended.Close surveillance allows any developing concerns to be identified and managed promptly, helping to reduce the risk of pregnancy and delivery complications while supporting the healthiest possible outcome for both you and your baby.

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Labour, Delivery and Birth Planning

Most women with gestational diabetes have straightforward pregnancies and deliver healthy babies. However, careful planning for labour and delivery is an important part of your care, particularly if your blood glucose levels have been difficult to control, your baby appears larger than expected, or there are other pregnancy-related concerns.Your consultant will discuss the safest timing and method of delivery based on your individual pregnancy, your baby’s growth, and your overall health, ensuring you are fully informed throughout the decision-making process.

Hands forming a heart shape over a pregnant belly

During labour, your blood glucose levels may be monitored regularly to help maintain good glucose control and reduce the risk of complications for your baby after birth. Your baby’s wellbeing will also be monitored closely throughout labour to ensure any concerns are identified promptly.If induction of labour or a caesarean section is recommended, your consultant will explain the reasons in detail, discuss the benefits and potential risks, and work with you to develop an individualised birth plan that provides the safest possible outcome for both you and your baby.

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After Your Baby Is Born

Gestational diabetes usually resolves after delivery, and blood glucose levels often return to normal within a short period. However, women who have experienced gestational diabetes have an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life and are also more likely to develop gestational diabetes during future pregnancies.For this reason, ongoing follow-up and maintaining a healthy lifestyle remain important even after your pregnancy has ended.

A Doctor reviewing a patient’s health after pregnancy

Following delivery, you will usually be offered further blood glucose testing to confirm that the diabetes has resolved. Your consultant will also discuss your future risk of diabetes and provide advice on maintaining a healthy weight, following a balanced diet and remaining physically active.Regular follow-up with your GP and attending any recommended screening appointments can help identify any future changes in blood glucose levels at an early stage and support your long-term health.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Will gestational diabetes affect my baby?

Most women with gestational diabetes go on to have healthy babies. Careful blood glucose control and regular monitoring throughout pregnancy help reduce the risk of complications and support your baby's healthy growth and development.

Can gestational diabetes be controlled without medication?

Yes. Many women are able to manage gestational diabetes through dietary changes, regular physical activity and home blood glucose monitoring. If blood glucose levels remain above the recommended range, medication or insulin may be recommended.

What foods should I eat if I have gestational diabetes?

A balanced diet that includes wholegrain carbohydrates, lean protein, healthy fats and plenty of vegetables can help maintain healthy blood glucose levels. Your consultant may also recommend specialist dietary advice to develop a meal plan tailored to your pregnancy.

Will I need insulin?

Not necessarily. Many women achieve good blood glucose control through lifestyle changes alone. Insulin is only recommended when blood glucose levels cannot be adequately controlled with diet and exercise or when it is considered the safest option for you and your baby.

Can I still have a normal vaginal delivery?

Yes. Most women with gestational diabetes can have a normal vaginal birth. Your consultant will recommend the safest birth plan based on your pregnancy, your baby's growth and your blood glucose control.

Will my baby need any special care after birth?

Most babies are healthy after birth. Your baby may have their blood glucose levels checked during the first few hours after delivery to ensure they remain within the normal range.

Am I likely to develop gestational diabetes again?

Women who have had gestational diabetes have a higher chance of developing the condition in future pregnancies. Early screening may therefore be recommended in subsequent pregnancies.

Can gestational diabetes increase my risk of developing diabetes later in life?

Yes. Women who have had gestational diabetes are at increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the future. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and attending follow-up screening can help reduce this risk.

Consultant obstetrician providing pregnancy advice

Do I need a GP referral?

No. You can self-refer for a private consultation. Referrals from GPs, midwives and other healthcare professionals are also welcome.

How quickly can I be seen?

We offer rapid access to experienced consultant obstetricians, allowing you to receive prompt assessment, personalised treatment and ongoing specialist pregnancy care without unnecessary delays.

Consultant providing pregnancy follow-up care

Our Locations

Our consultants at Gynaecology Clinic London see patients across leading private hospitals and clinics in London, including Harley Street, Canary Wharf, The Portland Hospital and Syon Clinic. These locations provide access to high-quality facilities, advanced diagnostics, and specialist women’s healthcare within comfortable and modern clinical settings.

Gestational Diabetes Treatment