What is Gestational Diabetes

Gestational Diabetes is a condition that is initially recognized during pregnancy (gestation). It is found in almost all women to some degree due to glucose intolerance and the resultant hormone changes that take place during pregnancy. This indicates that their blood sugar is a little higher than normal, but not so high as to cause diabetes. The reason for Gestational Diabetes is the improper functioning of insulin receptors. This is probably due to factors related to pregnancy like the presence of human placental lactogen, which interfere with the functions of susceptible insulin receptors. The hormones made in the placenta, the organ that connects the fetus with the umbilical cord and then to the uterus, help in the shifting of nutrients from the mother to the fetus. This happens mostly in the third trimester, causing improperly elevated blood sugar levels.

At the same time, other hormones are also produced by the placentas to prevent the development of low blood sugar by resisting the actions of insulin. During pregnancy, these hormones can lead to higher blood sugar levels or impaired glucose intolerance. This again tries to decrease blood sugar levels by making more insulin to gather glucose into cells. However, the mother’s pancreas has the ability to produce more insulin to control the effect of pregnancy hormones on blood sugar levels. If the pancreas fails to produce more insulin, blood sugar levels would increase, resulting in gestational diabetes.

Complications of Gestational Diabetes

Usually Gestational Diabetes produces very few symptoms and most of them are diagnosed by screening during pregnancy. As per studies 3 – 10 percentage of pregnancies are affected by Gestational Diabetes. In general, children born to mothers with untreated gestational diabetes are at increased risk of harm such as jaundice, low blood sugar or being too large for the gestation age which leads to complications in delivery. If left untreated, it might result in stillbirth or miscarriage.

Gestational diabetes can affect the growing fetus, at any stage of pregnancy. If it is in the early stages, mother’s diabetes may result in complications and a high risk of miscarriage. In the later stages, diabetes can develop a situation of over-nutrition, causing excess growth of the baby as also risks in delivery. When high blood sugar from mother creates excessive levels of insulin in the baby, the baby’s blood sugar levels can become very low after birth, as it will not be receiving high blood sugar.

Treatment

Researchers are unable to find why some women develop gestational diabetes. However, other factors like age, family or personal health history, excess weight etc. can be the reasons for gestational diabetes. It is very important to have thorough check ups during pregnancy to know and control diabetes.

Gestational diabetes is treatable and women with adequate glucose levels can reduce these risks. The first step is the right diet plan. Monitoring blood sugar is very important in controlling gestational diabetes. Anyway, frequent check-ups will help keep track of blood sugar levels and resort to proper medication to have a healthy baby.

Visit our website for more Healthcare Tips