Print Article for : Gestational Diabetes During Pregnancy

Your Online Guide » Pregnancy » Pregnancy Problems

[G87]Gestational Diabetes During Pregnancy

by Alien, Ali

Diabetes can develop during pregnancy in a woman who hasn't previously had the condition. This is called gestational diabetes, which affects two to three per cent of pregnant women. If it is not properly controlled, it can lead to problems for the mother or her baby. Pregnancy is a very special time in any woman's life. It is a time of great joy but also of anxiety and questions such as: How will I cope with the pregnancy? With labor and delivery? Will my baby be OK? These questions may be even more troublesome for women with diabetes. Having children is a big decision for anyone. If you are a woman who has diabetes, however, it is a decision that requires much more thought and careful planning. Many women who have diabetes (Type 1, Type 2 and Gestational diabetes) have healthy pregnancies and healthy babies

What Is It?

Gestational Diabetes is where the pregnant woman's body is not able to produce enough of the hormone Insulin. This means that her body is not able to break down the sugar that she consumes and convert it to energy. Therefore her blood sugar levels will be high and this will be passed on to the baby, which can cause problems.

Who Can Get It?

The pregnant women most likely to be affected will fit the following criteria;

&bull Overweight
&bull Age 35 plus
&bull Family history of diabetes
&bull Previously given birth to a large baby
&bull Previously given birth to a baby with an abnormality
&bull Suffered a stillbirth in late pregnancy

What are the symptoms of gestational diabetes?

One of the problems of gestational diabetes is that it does not manifest itself with clear symptoms. The symptoms common to high blood sugar (thirst, frequent urination, hunger) sometimes occur, but all of them are common in the latter stages of pregnancy.

Having children is a big decision for anyone. If you are a woman who has diabetes, however, it is a decision that requires much more thought and careful planning. Many women who have diabetes (Type 1, Type 2 and Gestational diabetes) have healthy pregnancies and healthy babies. But this isn't to say that it's an easy experience - it requires a lot of work and dedication on your part.

Am I at risk of developing gestational diabetes?

If you have one or more of the following factors you are more likely to develop gestational diabetes:

* Having a family history of Type 2 diabetes in a close relative (parents or brothers and sisters)
* Having gestational diabetes in a previous pregnancy
* If a previous baby had a birth defect

Management During Pregnancy

Maintain diabetic control at target values at all times.

The diet should be 35-40 calories per Kg ideal body weight. Basically, this is her routine diabetic diet plus 500 calories; it is a fallacy that pregnancy requires a diet for two! The diet will need to be tailored to suit the individual patient and adjustments will be required for women who cannot take their prescribed diet due to intense nausea and vomiting.

If the patient is not controlled with diet alone, she will require insulin therapy. Most women will require intensive insulin regimens.

Gestational diabetes is formally defined as ?any degree of glucose intolerance with onset or first recognition during pregnancy?. There is a possibility that a woman may have undiagnosed diabetes mellitus or may have developed diabetes during pregnancy.

According to medical researchers,a little over 130,000 pregnant women develop gestational diabetes each year in the United States. While it has not yet been determined what causes gestational diabetes, there are some signs that may be attributed to this condition.

The placenta contains hormones which contribute to the baby's development. However, these hormones also prevent the build-up of insulin in the body which then causes the condition known as ?insulin resistance?. As a result, when a woman cannot utilize the insulin during pregnancy, gestational diabetes occurs. In a nutshell, if there is not enough insulin, blood sugar which would normally leave the blood, will build up and cause high blood sugar levels resulting in gestational diabetes.

Because of this, diagnosis of gestational diabetes usually occurs in the late stages of pregnancy. The treatment for this condition is immediate and includes a special gestational diabetes diet and exercise program. It is meant to keep the blood sugar levels down.
Once gestational diabetes has been diagnosed, your doctor will monitor the progress you are making to ensure that the health of you and your baby is maintained. If warranted, insulin injections may have to be given because one of the problems associated with gestational diabetes is the risk of needing a cesarean section.

The positive side of gestational diabetes is that it will dissipate after the birth of the baby. However, recurrence during future pregnancies cannot be overruled.

Medical researchers have proved that women who have gestational diabetes during pregnancy may develop a more serious form of diabetes later on in their lives. Therefore, it is recommended that pregnant women engage in a diet and exercise program which allows the body to use up the glucose that is present.

In conclusion, regular check-ups with your health provider is recommended as well, not only to determine your overall health, but also to check the blood sugar levels. While gestational diabetes may occur only during pregnancy, it is nonetheless a condition which can result in Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes later on in life.

Article Source : Pg. 8

About Author

Both Alien & Onesteptog are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Alien has sinced written about articles on various topics from Pregnancy Problems, Fitness and Get Rid of Bed Bugs. Read out . Also check out for. Alien's top article generates over 673000 views. to your Favourites.

Onesteptog has sinced written about articles on various topics from Acne Treatment, Pregnancy Problems and Bankruptcy Law. [Lower your blood sugar level naturally, cure insulin resistance, eliminate diabetes drugs and insulin shots. Lose body fats, gain lean muscles, end nerve pains with Diabetic Warrior's Guide to HOW TO FIGHT TYPE 2 DIABETES AND WIN]. Onesteptog's top article generates over 3600 views. to your Favourites.