Gestational diabetes often presents with nonspecific symptoms. If not detected early and treated effectively, serious complications, including metabolic disorders, can occur in both mother and child. High blood pressure, infections of the urogenital tract, and preeclampsia (prenatal poisoning) are common. Untreated gestational diabetes usually leads to increased birth weight, which can pose problems for both mother and child during delivery. The rate of cesarean sections increases. Furthermore, organ maturation, particularly of the fetal lungs, is delayed, which can lead to respiratory problems and infections after birth. Disrupted placental development is another potential risk. Malnutrition of the fetus, premature birth, or even death of the fetus in utero can all result.

Gestational diabetes is treated in collaboration with a diabetologist. Initially, blood sugar is controlled through dietary changes. If this is not sufficient, insulin injections should be used to lower blood sugar. The German Diabetes Society recommends an oral glucose tolerance test between the 24th and 28th weeks of pregnancy.

In cases with an increased risk of developing gestational diabetes, this test should be performed in the first trimester and, if necessary, repeated in the third trimester, e.g. in cases of gestational diabetes, fetal weight over 4000g or stillbirth from a previous pregnancy.