Gestational diabetes

Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that develops during pregnancy when the body is not able to produce enough insulin to meet the increased needs during pregnancy and generally resolves after the childbirth. During the pregnancy, the placenta produces hormones that can make cells more resistant to insulin, leading to higher levels of blood sugar requirement. Even if the issue of gestational diabetes resolves after childbirth, many women can have a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes after the pregnancy.

Gestational diabetes happens or develops in women only during pregnancy. Although according to the current studies, it is said that the cause of diabetes occurs because the placenta produces such hormones that block the mother’s ability to use insulin effectively.

Gestational Diabetes Causes

There are various conditions because of which gestational diabetes occurs, though these factors are not specified

• Hormonal Changes: During pregnancy, the body faces many hormonal changes and pregnancy symptoms, including the human placental lactogen, estrogen, and progesterone, which can reduce the effectiveness of insulin.
• Obesity: because of being overweight, the risk of having gestational diabetes can increase.
• Family History: if there is a history of diabetes in the family, especially among the close relatives, for example, parents or siblings, the chances are high of having the gestational pregnancy.
• Age: Women who are above 25 or more are at the high risk of getting gestational diabetes.
• Previous Gestational Diabetes: Women who have experienced diabetes in their previous pregnancy are at increased or high risk of developing it again.
• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): Women with PCOS may have a higher risk of gestational diabetes.

Gestational Diabetes Symptoms

It is difficult to understand the symptoms of gestational diabetes because it is generally related to high blood sugar (hyperglycemia). However, some of the most common gestational diabetes symptoms.

• Increased thirst: gestational diabetes generally increases the thirst because the body is unable to use the glucose of the body, which increases the blood sugar levels.
• Frequent urination: the kidney filters the sugar through the urine, which increases the chances of the urination.
• Fatigue: feeling tired all the time, or the fatigue, unusually due to the gestational diabetes.
• Blurred vision: Changes in vision, particularly blurred vision, can sometimes occur in women, especially those who have or developed gestational diabetes.
•  Increased Hunger (Polyphagia): feeling huger despite having a proper diet and regular intake of nutritional food can be considered one of the symptoms of gestational diabetes.
•  Increased Risk of Yeast Infections: chances of getting yeast infection because the high blood sugar levels provide a perfect environment for yeast.
• Slow Healing: due to gestational diabetes, the healing of the cuts or infection can become slow or the body’s immune response to the infection slow to heal.
• Nausea or vomiting: the nausea or vomiting is the most common pregnancy symptom, but they can be a reason for the gestational diabetes too.

Gestational Diabetes Diagnosis

Gestational diabetes is typically diagnosed through screening tests performed during pregnancy, also understood as the prenatal pregnancy test. There are two major types of tests that diagnose the issue.

• Glucose Challenge Test (GCT): the test is generally performed between 24 and 28 weeks of the pregnancy phase. During the test, it is recommended to the women to drink a sugary drink, and then the blood is drawn an hour later after the consumption of the sugary drink to check the exact blood sugar level and the working of the body against the sugar and insulin level.

• Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT): If the Glucose Challenge Test (GCT) result is high, the woman may need to have an OGTT, which is measured at multiple intervals after consuming a sugary drink. If two or more of the readings of blood sugar level are higher than normal, diabetes is diagnosed or confirmed.

Gestational Diabetes Treatment

Managing gestational diabetes is important to prevent and minimize the complications for both the mother and the baby. Controlling the blood sugar level as per the required range with the help of changes, monitoring and medications. Here are some of the following ways that will help to maintain the blood sugar level of the body

• Diet: focusing and managing a balanced and healthy   diet is essential to maintain the risk of having issues related to pregnancy and results in a healthy lifestyle. Therefore, it is recommended to have small and frequent meals to manage the pregnancy nutrition level and feel full.  Although it is also suggested to avoid toxic substances, sugary foods or beverages, food containing mercury components, and more.
• Exercise: Regular physical activity, like walking, will help to control or manage the blood sugar levels. However, it’s important to consult with the healthcare provider before starting any exercise during pregnancy. Also, including yoga will also add a benefit for a healthy pregnancy.
• Monitoring the blood sugar level with the help of a glucose meter at home can help with maintaining the diet and the level of the blood sugar.
•  Controlling the gestational diabetes with changes in diet and exercise is not enough. Therefore, it is required to have insulin injections and other medications depending on the need of the treatment as prescribed by the doctor.
• Stress management during pregnancy to maintain the blood sugar level. Is important because stress can increase the blood sugar levels due to the release of hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline, which can reduce the effectiveness of the insulin.
• Prenatal care or monitoring is necessary to diagnose any issue at its beginning level. Therefore, it is recommended to consult the healthcare provider and should follow the regular prescribed tests.
• After delivery care is a crucial part, especially for the women who are diagnosed with gestational diabetes because they are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
• It is also important to remember and understand that diabetes can increase the risk of complications during childbirth, mostly to the mother, especially if blood sugar levels are not monitored or controlled that generally result in unnatural birth, preterm birth and more.

Gestational Diabetes Risks and Complications

Gestational diabetes results in high risk and complications to the baby and the mother both, especially during the delivery time.

Issues for the mother are.

• Increased risk of high blood pressure during the pregnancy (preeclampsia).
• Increased chances of requiring a cesarean section (C-section) delivery.
• Increased the complications and risk of developing type 2 diabetes after the delivery in life

For the Baby, the complications are

• The gestational diabetes can result in macrosomia (a condition where the size of the baby is larger than the normal baby size), which can make delivery more complicated and increase the risk of birth injuries or the need for the C-section delivery.
• Premature birth is the most common issue due to gestational diabetes.
• Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) after birth
• Jaundice
• Increase the risk of developing obesity and type 2 diabetes later in life.

With the help of changes in the lifestyle, monitoring the sugar level and weight and sticking to the medication that will help in managing diabetes and its effects. The prevention of complications for both mother and child depends on early diagnosis and treatment.

FAQS

Is gestational diabetes bad for the baby?

Yes, gestational diabetes is considered bad for the health of the baby because it results in having a higher risk of developing obesity and type 2 diabetes further in life. Stillbirth and premature birth are the most common risk factors.

How can you prevent gestational diabetes?

To prevent the risk of diabetes, start with maintaining a healthy lifestyle, reduce weight if not pregnant yet, and be active in the meditations and exercises.

What happens if you are diagnosed with gestational diabetes?

If the woman is diagnosed with diabetes, their diet plan, lifestyles, eating habits, sugar intake, everything changes from a normal pregnancy, and they need to stick to the suggestions and prescriptions.