Pre-Diabetes in Pregnancy: Signs and Prevention

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Understanding Pre-Diabetes in Pregnancy

Pre-diabetes is a condition in which your blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not yet high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. According to Dr Sajad, this stage is a critical warning sign, especially in pregnancy. It is opportunity to prevent full-blown diabetes with the right lifestyle choices.

They discuss recognising early warning signs, the importance of diet, cultural food myths, and lifestyle changes. Dr Sajad shares practical advice on portion control, healthy swaps, and exercise to prevent diabetes and promote healthier pregnancies in diverse communities. Content on other clinical topics and wellbeing can be found here.

“Your pancreas works tirelessly to produce insulin,” explains Dr Sajad. “But when the body becomes resistant — often due to diet or lack of movement — the pancreas gets tired. That’s when pre-diabetes develops, and it can evolve into Type 2 diabetes if we don’t act early.”

Key Takeaways

  • Dr Vinesh Dhir and Dr Nadia Sajad discussed pre-diabetes in pregnancy, highlighting its importance as a warning sign for expectant mothers.
  • Pre-diabetes can often be managed through early detection and lifestyle changes including diet and exercise.
  • Cultural beliefs surrounding food can complicate dietary changes during pregnancy, making education crucial.
  • Dr Sajad provided practical tips like portion control and the importance of choosing whole foods to prevent diabetes.
  • HIYOS focuses on educating patients about early diabetes prevention and its relevance to women’s health.

Spotting the Early Symptoms

It is very important for patients and clinicians alike to recognise the subtle symptoms of early diabetes or pre-diabetes — particularly during pregnancy.

“If you’re feeling constantly thirsty, passing urine frequently, or always hungry — it’s worth checking your blood sugar,” says Dr Dhir.

Dr Sajad adds that simple tests, such as HbA1C blood tests, can reveal if someone is in the pre-diabetes range. “At that stage,” she says, “we can intervene with diet, education and exercise — and sometimes reverse the process entirely.”

A rack containing multiple blood sample tubes in various colours, including red, yellow, blue, grey, and purple, organized neatly. Blood tests for pre diabetes as well as other tests

Cultural Beliefs, Diet and Misconceptions

One of the key topics raised in the interview was how cultural habits and food myths can contribute to health risks in pregnancy.

Dr Dhir highlighted how many patients struggle to balance cultural food traditions with medical advice. Dr Sajad agreed — explaining that it can be challenging to change long-held beliefs about food.

“Many people say, ‘My mother had diabetes only because she got old,’” says Dr Sajad. “But often, that process started years earlier with pre-diabetes.”

She often uses relatable food examples to explain portion control and healthy swaps — from reducing rice in a plate of biryani to halving the size of chapatis and choosing whole grains instead.

“If you buy a biryani, use the salad they give you. Replace half the rice with cucumber and lettuce,” she advises. “Small changes make a big difference.”

Fruits, Nuts and Hidden Sugars

There are also persistent myths about certain foods — especially nuts and fruits — in many communities.

“People believe that nuts are too ‘hot’ and cause miscarriage. That’s not true,” Dr Sajad clarifies. “A few almonds or walnuts a day are perfectly safe and healthy.”

She also warns that not all fruit is equal:

  • Mangoes and grapes are very high in sugar.
  • Clementines, strawberries and blueberries are better choices in moderation.
  • Avoid fruit juices and dried fruits, which contain concentrated sugars.

Simple Steps to Prevent Diabetes in Pregnancy

As the discussion wrapped up, both clinicians shared their top tips for prevention:

Dr Nadia Sajad’s Top Tips:

  • Keep moving. Even a 20-minute daily walk after meals can lower sugar levels.
  • Control portions. Smaller rice and chapati portions can make a big impact.
  • Choose whole foods. Wholemeal chapatis, lentils and mixed grains keep you full longer.
  • Add fibre and protein. Eat the whole fruit — not juice — and include eggs and pulses in your meals.
  • Seek advice early. If you have risk factors or family history, speak to your GP for early testing and referral.

About HIYOS and diabetes prevention

At HIYOS, Dr Vinesh Dhir and the team are passionate about educating patients on the importance of early prevention. Their regular videocasts feature discussions with hospital consultants and specialists, helping to bridge the gap between primary and secondary care.

Whether it’s understanding diabetes, fertility, or women’s health — HIYOS aims to make expert medical knowledge accessible and relevant for every patient in the community.

If you are pregnant or planning to be, and have concerns about your blood sugar levels, family history of diabetes, or weight management, please speak to your GP or nurse.

If you’re concerned about any of the points mentioned, please reach out to your GP.

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