Diabetes during Pregnancy
Updated on 3 November 2023
Gestational diabetes mellitus definition says that it is a condition in which the placenta produces a hormone that prevents the usage of insulin effectively. This condition is also referred to as insulin resistance. Due to this, glucose accumulates in the blood rather than being absorbed by the cells. However, Gestational diabetic symptoms disappear post-delivery.
The first occurrence of gestational diabetes is found at the time of pregnancy. Gestational diabetes is a condition in which blood sugar levels are high during pregnancy. Though Gestational diabetes goes away after the birth of the baby, it usually has an impact on the baby's health. Approximately 3 to 8 percent of all pregnant women are diagnosed with gestational diabetes.
Women with gestational diabetes usually have no symptoms or find out during the pregnancy after a routine check-up. Some symptoms include:
Experiencing extreme fatigue and feeling constantly tired, even after getting enough sleep and proper food.
High blood glucose attracts fluid from tissues, including the eyes' lenses. This affects the vision.
When kidneys cannot function properly, the excess glucose is excreted into the urine along with the fluid in the body and the tissues, resulting in extreme thirst and dehydration.
Due to high blood sugar levels being elevated for a longer period of time. Eating can make people with GD nauseous, even though they are hungry.
High levels of blood glucose can lead to poor blood flow and impair the body's natural healing process. In women with GD, bladder and vaginal yeast infections may occur more often and not heal as fast.
The kidneys remove excess sugar in the bloodstream, and the remaining sugar which is unable to be absorbed by the kidneys is urinated out along with fluid from the tissues. The body then starts feeling dehydrated and thirsty, which leads to more water consumption and, in effect, frequent urination.
During pregnancy, the body requires a lot of energy as the baby grows, but sometimes the production of insulin is not sufficient to keep up with demand. Due to a lack of insulin, levels of sugar are high, and it will show up in the urine.
Gestational diabetes during pregnancy occurs when enough insulin is not produced by the pancreas of the pregnant woman, and even if it is produced, the body is not able to utilize it properly. Without enough insulin, glucose builds up in the blood it's called hyperglycemia. There is an increased demand for insulin at the beginning of pregnancy, causing gestational pregnancy.
Risk factors include:
Overweight or obese
Physically inactive
Polycystic ovary syndrome
History of diabetes
Having prediabetes
Gestational diabetes during a previous pregnancy
The healthcare provider will perform a blood test. The test includes:
Glucose screening test: The healthcare provider will ask you to take a sweet drink. After an hour, a blood sample is taken to check blood sugar levels. If there is an increase in blood sugar, there will be another test, known as the glucose tolerance test.
Glucose tolerance test: This test measures glucose levels in the body after a fast of nine hours. Then the second blood sample is drawn after taking the sweet drink and checked for glucose every hour for three hours. If the glucose readings are higher than expected, the diagnosis confirms diabetes.
Gestational diabetes that is not managed carefully can result in high blood sugar levels. High blood sugar can cause problems for the mother and the baby, with a high chance of needing surgery to deliver (C-section).
Being very large (9 pounds or more), making delivery quite difficult
Being born early can cause respiratory distress syndrome
Having low blood sugar
Develop type 2 diabetes later in life
Many women with gestational diabetes continue to develop type 2 diabetes in the future
Have risk of high blood pressure, as well as preeclampsia
Most likely to have a C-section delivery
You may like: Symptoms Diagnosis Treatment Complications of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus During Pregnancy
Gestational diabetes treatment options include:
Follow a healthy eating plan planned by your doctor or dietitian. Also, exercise regularly to maintain a healthy weight.
Screening of blood sugar is important to ensure blood sugar levels stay in a healthy range.
If diet and exercise are not helping to manage blood sugar levels, there is a need for insulin injections to lower your blood sugar. There are also some prescribed medications that can help.
Gestational diabetes is a consequential condition seen in pregnant women with higher blood sugar. It is mostly diagnosed during the second trimester, around 24 to 28 weeks of pregnancy. Both mother and baby will have health-related complications if not treated for diabetes in time. With proper diet and exercise, GDM in pregnancy can be managed well. If diet and exercise cannot control the conditions, then medication is needed. Women with GD also have a higher possibility of having type 2 diabetes in the future.
It is advised to talk to a doctor about how to manage and keep a check on blood sugar to reduce the risk of diabetes.
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Written by
Mittali Khurana
Mittali is a content writer by profession. She is a dynamic writer with 04+ years of experience in content writing for E-commerce, Parenting App & Websites, SEO.
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