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Gestational Diabetes: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

Introduction

Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that develops only during pregnancy.

Diabetes means your blood glucose, also called blood sugar, is too high.

Your body uses glucose for energy. Too much glucose in your blood is not good for you and your baby.


What is Gestational Diabetes?

Gestational diabetes also known as gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a situation in which a woman without diabetes develops high blood sugar levels during pregnancy.

When you eat, your digestive system breaks down most of the food into a sugar called glucose. Glucose enters your bloodstream so your cells can use it as fuel. With the help of insulin (a hormone made by your pancreas), muscle, fat, and other cells absorb glucose from your blood.

But if your body doesn't produce enough insulin, or if the cells have a problem responding to it, too much glucose remains in your blood instead of moving into cells and getting converted to energy.

Gestational diabetes generally results in few symptoms; however, it does increase the risk of pre-eclampsia, depression and requiring a Caesarean section.

Babies born to mothers with poorly treated gestational diabetes are at increased risk of being too large, having low blood sugar after birth, and jaundice. It can also result in a stillbirth.



Unlike other types of diabetes, gestational diabetes isn't permanent. Once a baby is born, blood sugar will most likely return to normal quickly. However, having gestational diabetes does make developing diabetes in the future more likely.

What are the Symptoms of Gestational Diabetes?

Gestational diabetes doesn't usually cause any symptoms.

Most cases are only picked up when your blood sugar level is tested during screening for gestational diabetes.

Some women may develop symptoms if their blood sugar level gets too high such as:
  • Increased thirst
  • Needing to pee frequently
  • Dry mouth
  • Tiredness
But some of these symptoms are also common during pregnancy.

What are the Causes of Diabetes in Pregnancy?

Gestational diabetes can be caused when the placenta that makes hormones leads to a buildup of sugar in your blood. The pancreas can make enough insulin to handle that. If not, your blood sugar levels will rise and can cause gestational diabetes.

You may be more likely to get gestational diabetes if:
  • You are over age 25
  • You had gestational diabetes in a past pregnancy
  • You were overweight before you got pregnant; extra weight makes it harder for your body to use insulin.
  • You have a condition called polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
  • You gain weight very quickly during your pregnancy
  • You had a baby who was stillborn
  • You have a parent, brother, or sister with type 2 diabetes
  • Your blood sugar levels are high, but not high enough for you to be diagnosed with diabetes; this is called prediabetes.

How Can Gestational Diabetes Affect My Baby?

If you have gestational diabetes, your baby may be at risk of:

Excessive birth weight (Macrosomia): Babies those that weigh 9 pounds or more are more likely to become wedged in the birth canal, sustain birth injuries or require a C-section birth.

Early (preterm) birth and respiratory distress syndrome: A mother's high blood sugar may increase her risk of early delivering of her baby before the baby's due date or her doctor may recommend early delivery because of the baby’s weight.



Babies of mothers with gestational diabetes may experience respiratory distress syndrome: It makes breathing difficult for babies. They may need help breathing until their lungs mature and become stronger.

Low blood sugar (Hypoglycemia): Sometimes babies of mothers with gestational diabetes develop low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) shortly after birth because their own insulin production is high.

Severe episodes of hypoglycemia may incite seizures in the baby.

Sometimes prompt feedings and an intravenous glucose solution can return the baby's blood sugar level to normal.

Type 2 diabetes later in life: Babies of mothers who have gestational diabetes have a higher risk of developing obesity and type 2 diabetes later in life.

Low blood sugar in Babies (Hypoglycemia): You may need to start breastfeeding right away to get more glucose into the baby's system. If it's not possible for you to start feedings, the baby may need to get glucose through a thin plastic tube into the blood.

Jaundice: Baby's skin turns yellowish; white parts of the eyes may also change color slightly. If treated early, jaundice is not a serious problem for the baby.

Treatment for Gestational Diabetes

The following are the treatment for gestational diabetes:

Eating balanced meals: After being diagnosed, meet with a registered dietician to create a healthy eating plan. You will learn how to limit the amount of carbohydrate you eat as a way to control your blood sugar. You may also be asked to write down everything you eat and to keep track of your weight.



Exercise: Talk with your doctor before you start exercising. Try to do at least 2½ hours a week of moderate exercise. One way to do this is to be active 30 minutes a day, at least 5 days a week.

Regular, moderate exercise during pregnancy helps your body use insulin better and helps control your blood sugar level. If you have never exercised regularly or were not exercising before you became pregnant.

You may also want to try special exercise classes for pregnant women.

Checking blood sugar levels: An important part of treating gestational diabetes is checking your blood sugar level at home. . It may be overwhelming to test your blood sugar so often. But talk to your doctor about how often to test your blood sugar.

 Monitoring fetal growth and well-being: Your doctor may want you to monitor fetal movements called kick counts just to know if your baby is moving less than usual.

You may also have fetal ultrasounds to see how well your baby is developing. You can also have a nonstress test to check how well your baby's heart responds to movement.

 Getting regular medical checkups: Having gestational diabetes means regular visits to your doctor. At these visits, your doctor will check your blood pressure and test a sample of your urine. You will also discuss your blood sugar levels, what you have been eating, how much you have been exercising, and how much weight you have gained.


Insulin shots and diabetes medicine intake: The first way to treat gestational diabetes is by changing the way you eat and exercising regularly.

If your blood sugar levels are too high, you may need diabetes medicine or insulin shots.
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