Gestational diabetes refers to diabetes that is initially diagnosed during pregnancy. Pregnancy-related diabetes changes how your cells use sugar, similar to other types of diabetes. The health of both you and your unborn child may be affected by high blood sugar levels brought on by gestational diabetes.
Even while any pregnancy-related issue is worrisome, there is great news. You can manage gestational diabetes throughout pregnancy by eating healthy, doing exercise, and, if necessary, taking medication. Controlling your blood sugar can help you and your unborn child stay healthy and reduce the likelihood of a difficult delivery.
In most cases, your blood sugar levels return to normal shortly after birth if you had gestational diabetes while pregnant. However, type 2 diabetes is more likely to occur in someone who has had gestational diabetes. Blood sugar levels will need to be monitored more often.
What Causes Gestational Diabetes?
Hormonal changes and the process through which our bodies turn food into energy are the causes of gestational diabetes. The glucose (sugar) from food is broken down by the hormone insulin and sent to our cells. Our blood glucose levels are maintained at a healthy level by insulin. But if insulin doesn’t function properly or we don’t have enough of it, blood sugar levels rise and diabetes develops.
Hormones during pregnancy may affect how insulin functions. There is a chance that it won’t control your blood sugar levels as it should, which can result in gestational diabetes. Genes and being overweight (having a BMI over 25) could potentially be contributing factors.
Other conditions that could raise your risk of GD include:
- Heart ailment.
- High blood pressure
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
- Prior delivery of a child weighing at least nine pounds (lb).
- Obesity.
- Prediabetes (history of higher-than-normal blood glucose)
- Family or personal history of GD.
Symptoms
Gestational diabetes typically has no outward indications or symptoms. Possible symptoms include increased thirst and more frequent urination.
When to Visit a Doctor
If at all feasible, seek medical attention as soon as you begin to consider attempting to conceive so that your doctor can assess both your general health and your risk of gestational diabetes. As part of your prenatal care after becoming pregnant, your doctor will examine you for gestational diabetes.
If you develop gestational diabetes, you could require more frequent checks. These are most likely to happen in the final three months of pregnancy, when your doctor will be watching your blood sugar level and the wellbeing of your unborn child.
Complications
Unregulated gestational diabetes might result in high blood sugar levels. High blood sugar levels can harm both you and your unborn child, increasing the probability that you will both require surgery to deliver (C-section).
Complications that may affect your Baby
If you have gestational diabetes, your unborn child may be more susceptible to:
- Having excessive weight at birth: Your baby may become too big if your blood sugar levels are above the recommended range. Babies who weigh 9 pounds or more are more likely to experience delivery injuries, become trapped in the birth canal, or require a C-section.
- Type 2 diabetes and obesity can occur: Babies are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes and obesity later in life.
- Stillbirth: Untreated gestational diabetes can cause a baby to pass away either before birth or soon after.
- Severe breathing problems: Early birth babies may develop respiratory distress syndrome, which makes breathing challenging.
- Reduced blood sugar (hypoglycemia): Shortly after birth, newborns can experience hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar. Babies that experience severe hypoglycemia may experience seizures. The baby’s blood sugar level can be brought back to normal by prompt feedings and, occasionally, an intravenous glucose solution.
Complications that could harm the Pregnant woman
- Undergoing a surgical birth (C-section): If you have gestational diabetes, a C-section is more likely to occur.
- Hypertension and preeclampsia: Preeclampsia, a critical pregnancy complication that produces high blood pressure and other symptoms that can endanger both your life and the life of your unborn child, is another risk factor for high blood pressure that is increased by gestational diabetes.
- Future diabetes: If you already have gestational diabetes, you run the risk of developing it once again if you become pregnant again. As you age, type 2 diabetes is also more likely to affect you.
Prevention
The more healthy behaviors you can develop before becoming pregnant, the better. There are no guarantees when it comes to preventing gestational diabetes. These healthy choices could lower your risk of acquiring type 2 diabetes or experiencing gestational diabetes again in the future if you’ve already had it.
- Eat nutritious foods: Pick fiber-rich, calorie- and fat-free foods. Put an emphasis on whole grains, veggies, and fruits. To assist you in achieving your goals without sacrificing flavor or nutrients, strive for variety. Observe serving sizes.
- Be healthy before getting pregnant: Losing additional weight before getting pregnant could make the experience healthier for you. Concentrate on implementing long-lasting dietary adjustments, such as increasing your intake of fruits and vegetables, that will support you during your pregnancy.
- Exercise: Exercise can help you avoid getting gestational diabetes before, during, and after pregnancy. On the majority of days of the week, aim for 30 minutes of moderate exercise. Go for a quick walk each day.
- Don’t put on more weight than is advised: It is normal and good to gain a little weight while pregnant. However, if you put on weight quickly, it can raise your risk of developing gestational diabetes. Find out from your doctor how much weight gain is appropriate for you.