Gestational diabetes is one of the most popular conditions that pregnant women should be aware of. In this condition a woman’s blood sugar levels become higher during pregnancy than they should.
Moreover, keeping a sharp eye on your sugar levels regularly and managing it, in no question, will let you have a healthy pregnancy. But if poorly managed, it can lead to threatening conditions.
For example,it can result in premature birth of the baby, fetal macrosomia or worse stillbirth.
So, by any means, you have to police your symptoms and put all your efforts in preventing it. And that’s exactly what this piece of information will help you with.
This article covers informative subjects including gestational diabetes symptoms, its causes, who are probable to face it, its effects and workable prevention.
Thus, let’s get started.
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WHAT IS GESTATIONAL DIABETES?
Gestational diabetes is a condition that refers to an evolved level of glucose in a pregnant woman’s blood during pregnancy.
It typically resolves after the birth but also occurs in pregnancy.
Besides, about 10% of pregnancies in the US are affected by this condition.
Diabetes in pregnancy is often a silent evil showing noticeable symptoms from slim to none.
And if it does, the typical symptoms of it can mistakenly be considered as early pregnancy signs.
So, many women don’t even know that they are diabetic. Thus, a blood sugar test in pregnancy is required for diagnosis.
Those who develop this condition in pregnancy are possibly developing type 2 diabetes later in their lives.
SYMPTOMS OF GESTATIONAL DIABETES
Being diabetic usually doesn’t indicate any symptoms while expecting.
But in some women gestational diabetes causes,
- Frequent urination
- Increased thirst
- Tiredness
- Nausea
- Feeling hungrier and eating more than usual
- Yeast infection
So, these are the gestational diabetes symptoms you may experience.
WHAT CAUSES DIABETES IN PREGNANCY?
The exact causes of diabetes are still unclear. In fact, most women face gestational diabetes even if they never have encountered diabetes back in their lives before.
But there are some risk factors to blame.
You should go through the types of diabetes and the risk factors they hold on an individual basis.
TYPES OF DIABETES
In general, there are three types of diabetes such as
- Type 1 diabetes
- Type 2 diabetes
- Gestational diabetes
CAUSE OF TYPE 1 DIABETES
Although the exact cause is still unclear, in type 1 diabetes your immune system is seen to destroy the insulin producing cells in the pancreas.
This factor results in little to no insulin in your body.
Thus, rather than being transported into your cells, the sugar builds up in the bloodstream.
TYPE 1 DIABETES RISK FACTORS
Type 1 diabetes includes these risk factors in it
- Family history of this diabetes
- Having auto antibodies or the presence of damaging immune system cells
- Exposure to viral illness
Although these factors can not be taken as the exact contributors still most patients experience this condition while having any of these risk factors.
CAUSE OF TYPE 2 DIABETES
In this condition, the cells present in your body become resistant to the action of insulin produced by your pancreas.
Thus, the pancreas becomes unable to produce enough insulin to overcome this issue.
This factor consequently leads to the build up of sugar in your bloodstream instead of cells where it’s needed for the energy.
RISK FACTORS OF TYPE 2 DIABETES
Prediabetes and type 2 diabetes often are the results of risk factors including
- Being overweight
- Family history of type 2 diabetes
- Little to no physical activities
- Polycystic ovary syndrome or PCOS
- High blood pressure
- Higher cholesterol levels
- Gestational diabetes
WHAT CAUSES GESTATIONAL DIABETES?
The very after you eat, your pancreas releases insulin.
Insulin is a hormone that assists to move a sugar called glucose from your blood to your cell, in order to use that for energy.
But in pregnancy, placenta also releases hormones that trigger glucose to build up in your blood.
Typically, your pancreas can send out more insulin to handle this altered mechanism of your body.
But if anyhow it fails to send enough insulin or stops using insulin as the way it should , the blood sugar levels shoot up. As a result, gestational diabetes comes into action.
RISK FACTORS OF GESTATIONAL DIABETES
These are the multiple risk factors that can allow gestational diabetes or GD in.
- Being overweight before conceiving
- Have a family history of diabetes
- Were diabetic before
- Have high blood pressure
- Have high cholesterol, heart disease or other medical conditions
- Had a miscarriage before
- Has a baby who was stillborn
- Have PCOS
- Had a baby that was overweight or any other birth defects
- Performing a very little physical activities
- Aging more than 25
COMPLICATIONS WITH DIABETES IN PREGNANCY
The complications of gestational diabetes develop as soon as the blood sugar level develops.
Having a poorly controlled diabetes in pregnancy can be fatal for both the mother and baby.
COMPLICATIONS OF GD ON MOTHER
The long term complications of GD on mother can include
- Nerve damage
- Kidney damage
- Foot pain or damage
- Eye damage
- Cardiovascular disease
- Depression
- Hearing damage
- Unusual skin conditions
HOW DOES GESTATIONAL DIABETES AFFECT THE BABY?
Alongside mother, gestational diabetes can cause troublesome consequences on a baby’s health. For example it can cause
1. FETAL MACROSOMIA
Fetal macrosomia is a condition where the baby is larger than normal or required size.
In this condition the babies particularly weigh more than 4000 to 5000 grams or more than 9 pounds.
This happens because the extra glucose present in your body can pass through the placenta, triggering the baby’s pancreas to produce more insulin.
This altered process may cause the baby to grow bigger than the normal size, which is called fetal macrosomia.
This condition can cause problems including
- C-section delivery
- Birth injuries on baby
- Breathing problems
- Need of an operative vaginal delivery
The baby is also likely to face long term problems in life including
- Obesity
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Neurological problems
2. TYPE 2 DIABETES LATER IN LIFE
It has been observed that babies born from pregnant women who struggled with gestational diabetes are more likely to face type 2 diabetes later in life.
This is a long term chronic condition that risks too many problematic consequences if not managed with proper care.
3. LOW BLOOD SUGAR
Babies born from diabetic women are prone to develop low blood sugar or hypoglycemia shortly after birth.
That’s because their own insulin production is high.
However, prompt feedings and in advance an intravenous glucose solution can result in the baby’s blood sugar levels to a steady and safe level.
4. STILLBIRTH
An untreated or poorly managed GD can bring out the consequence of a cold stillbirth.
GD is suspected to cause less growth of infants in the uterus because of poor circulation of nutrients.
Other conditions caused by diabetes in pregnancy including high blood pressure, preeclampsia and damaged blood vessels can cause stillbirth too.
5. PRETERM LABOR
Gestational diabetes is highly responsible for increasing the risk of preterm labor.
This happens because women who are diabetic can risk a condition named polyhydramnios.
In this condition there is too much amniotic fluid in the amniotic sac. This factor can stretch the uterus that leads to preterm labor.
6. PRE-ECLAMPSIA
GD can cause pre-eclampsia in pregnancy which can be life threatening for both the mother and baby.
In this condition, there is excess protein in the urine and swelling in the legs together with feet.
7. SUBSEQUENT DIABETES IN MOTHER
Mothers-to-be who are diagnosed with GD are predicted to develop this condition again in their next pregnancy.
Typically, women develop type 2 diabetes.
So, these are the complications associated with gestational diabetes both on mother and baby.
However, with proper planning, healthier lifestyle choices and regular checkups women with GD give birth to healthy babies most of the time.
DIAGNOSIS OF DIABETES IN PREGNANCY
If your doctor suspects that you are at average risk of GD, then you will have a screening test in your second trimester.
It particularly happens in between 24 to 28 weeks of pregnancy.
That’s because some hormones start getting produced by the placenta in these weeks.
Along with that, if you are at greater risk of diabetes then your healthcare provider may check for diabetes in the early pregnancy.
This test may take place at your first trimester tests.
WHAT ROUTINE SCREENING TESTS ARE DONE FOR GD?
In general, there are two types of screening tests that are done for diagnosing diabetes in pregnancy. Which are,
- Initial glucose challenge test
- Follow up glucose tolerance test
INITIAL GLUCOSE CHALLENGE TEST
In this test, you will drink a syrup of glucose solution. After an hour of drinking the solution, the doctor will test your blood sample to measure your blood sugar level.
If your sugar level is higher than the expectation, then you will need a glucose tolerance test afterwards to determine whether you have gestational diabetes.
FOLLOW UP GLUCOSE TOLERANCE TEST
In this test, you will be offered to intake a sweet solution having more sugar than the initial testing.
Then, your blood sugar will be tested each hour for three hours.
If at least two of the blood sugar readings are higher than expected, then you will be diagnosed with diabetes in pregnancy.
So, this is how gestational diabetes is diagnosed.
GESTATIONAL DIABETES: TREATMENT
The treatment of gestational diabetes is basically based on 3 factors which are
- Lifestyle changes
- Blood sugar monitoring
- Medication when necessary
LIFESTYLE CHANGES
The food you eat, the body weight you obtain and the less or more you exercise are responsible for raising or lowering your blood sugar levels.
So, if your sugar levels aren’t high, then your doctor will advise you to have a healthy diet plan for gestational diabetes, exercise more and maintain a healthy weight.
These factors are however mandatory.
More so, if you are obese or overweight then your healthcare provider will guide you to maintain a steady or healthy weight instead of losing.
That’s because losing weight can have a bad impact on your pregnancy.
BLOOD SUGAR MONITORING
If your blood sugar is a little higher, then your healthcare team may ask you to use a monitor to test your sugar levels four or more times a day.
The suitable and perfect time to do that is first in the morning and after the meals to track your condition inch-by-inch.
MEDICATIONS
Medications will be applied to lower your blood sugar levels if it cannot be managed with a healthy diet or regular exercises.
For that, insulin injections will be injected to lower your blood sugar.
Some healthcare providers also prefer oral medications in these conditions.
But it’s still controversial if the oral medications for gestational diabetes are as effective as insulin injections for pregnant women.
So, these are the treatments for GD in pregnant women.
GESTATIONAL DIABETES RANGE FOR PREGNANT WOMEN
According to American Diabetes Association, a pregnant woman should keep her blood sugar ranging from,
- 95 mg/dL or less before having a meal
- 140 mg/dL or less after an hour having a meal
- 120 mg/dL or less after two hours having a meal
So, these are the ranges of sugar levels in pregnancy to keep a sharp eye on.
However, unless you have it or not, or even are at risk to get it, you should better prevent it.
As diabetes is a chronic condition, it can will worsen as you age.
So, before it starts managing your life in a bad manner, you better start managing it smartly.
Here are some tips to prevent gestational diabetes during pregnancy.
Just learn them!
HOW TO PREVENT GESTATIONAL DIABETES?
You have to undertake these following measures to prevent diabetes in pregnancy
So, these are the precautions to manage GD you must have been looking for.
1. EAT HEALTHY FOODS
Choosing healthy foods to eat can keep this condition at bay. You can prefer foods that are rich in fiber content and lower in carbs.
For example, you can intake fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
Fiber is your friend because it can control sugar levels in blood and help in weight management- both of which are important in the case of diabetic patients.
And also watch the portion you eat.
2. AVOID CERTAIN FOODS
While healthy foods are your friend, having certain foods can be evil. Having diabetes-enhancing foods can result in a spike in your sugar levels.
for example, you have to avoid fried meats, sweet treats, regular cheeses, potatoes and almost everything that are either rich in carbohydrate or sugar.
Also Read: 27 Simple foods that shockingly cause miscarriage
3. STAY ACTIVE
Diabetic people are often advised to stay active to get a better resistance against higher blood sugar levels.
That’s because exercises lower the blood sugar levels in conjunction with improving insulin resistance throughout the body.
Plus it aids a healthy weight.
All of these above mentioned factors are important for diabetic patients.
SAFE EXERCISES TO DO DURING PREGNANCY
Since you are pregnant, not all the exercises are safe. You are immune to do physical activities such as the following ones in pregnancy:
- Riding a stationary bike
- Walking
- Water workouts
- Yoga and Pilates
- Low impact aerobics
4. OBTAIN A HEALTHY WEIGHT
The more you weigh, the more are the complications!
But it’s not good to lose weight instead even if you are overweight during pregnancy.
Thus target to gain the recommended weight your doctor suggests.
Also focus on making lasting changes in your eating patterns and make your hunger pangs as well as food cravings constructive.
Besides, if you are overweight and planning to conceive then lose some weight. Doing this beforehand will ensure a healthy pregnancy.
5. STAY WELL HYDRATED
Staying well hydrated can keep the chances of gestational diabetes under control.
Water neither contains carbohydrates nor any calories, so it leads to no sugar spikes in the body.
It even eliminates excess glucose through urination and aids a healthy weight.
Thus, it’s a perfect drink to drink if you are diabetic.
Moreover, high blood sugar levels can contribute to dehydration which is fatal for pregnancy.
So, you better focus on your hydration levels.
You can consume unsweetened cranberry juice, vegetable juices, herbal tea, low fat milk, yogurt, seltzer water, pregnancy smoothies for diabetes to control the fasting sugar levels.
GESTATIONAL DIABETES: WHEN TO VISIT A DOCTOR?
Gestational diabetes is a tragic complication that can crop up during pregnancy. Thus, be attentive to your symptoms and clarify when to see a doctor ASAP!
Call your doctor right away if you notice symptoms including
- Persistently High sugar levels
- Persistence in nausea and vomiting
- If you already at risk for diabetes
- Abnormal vaginal fluid or bleeding
- Daily contractions in the abdomen
- Decreased fetal movements
Also Read: Back pain during pregnancy: when to call doctor
THE END NOTE
Time to sum up everything all at once cause it’s time for the conclusion.
See, many pregnant women find out they are diabetic by surprise. Or truly by shock!
That’s because pregnancy can cause it even if they were not diabetic before.
But, It’s a relief hear that it’s preventable. You can give shots to these above mentioned healthy habits to prevent this condition.
But that’s not all!
These healthy habits can help you to maintain good health in every way possible.
So all the best !
You can read my article next that addresses expert tips to prevent high blood pressure during pregnancy which is even more problematic than gestational diabetes.
Go ahead:)
All at the end PREGARLYBODY wishes you a healthy pregnancy ahead.
