Gestational Diabetes: What You Need to Know
If you are pregnant or planning to get pregnant, you may have heard of gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that develops during pregnancy and affects how your body uses sugar (glucose). In this article, we will explain what causes gestational diabetes, how it can affect your health and your baby's health, and how you can prevent or manage it.
What causes gestational diabetes?
Gestational diabetes occurs when your body can't make enough insulin during your pregnancy. Insulin is a hormone that helps your cells use glucose for energy. During pregnancy, your body makes more hormones and goes through other changes that make your cells less responsive to insulin. This is called insulin resistance. Insulin resistance increases your body's need for insulin. If your pancreas can't keep up with the demand, your blood sugar levels rise and you develop gestational diabetes.
Some factors that can increase your risk of developing gestational diabetes are:
- Being overweight or obese before pregnancy
- Being physically inactive
- Having prediabetes or a family history of diabetes
- Having polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
- Having had gestational diabetes in a previous pregnancy
- Having a previous baby that weighed more than 9 pounds
- Being older than 30 years
- Being of certain races or ethnicities, such as Black, Hispanic, American Indian, or Asian American
How can gestational diabetes affect your health and your baby's health?
Gestational diabetes can cause high blood sugar levels that can affect your pregnancy and your baby's health. If not treated, gestational diabetes can lead to complications such as:
- Preeclampsia: a condition that causes high blood pressure and protein in the urine during pregnancy. It can increase the risk of premature delivery, placental abruption, and seizures.
- Macrosomia: a condition that causes the baby to grow too large (more than 9 pounds). It can make delivery more difficult and increase the risk of birth injuries, shoulder dystocia, and caesarean section (C-section).
- Hypoglycemia: a condition that causes low blood sugar in the baby after birth. It can cause seizures, breathing problems, and difficulty feeding.
- Respiratory distress syndrome: a condition that causes breathing problems in the baby due to immature lungs. It can require oxygen therapy or mechanical ventilation.
- Jaundice: a condition that causes yellowing of the skin and eyes in the baby due to excess bilirubin. It can cause brain damage if not treated
- Future diabetes: both you and your baby have a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life if you have gestational diabetes.
How can you prevent or manage gestational diabetes?
The best way to prevent or manage gestational diabetes is to follow a healthy lifestyle before and during pregnancy. This includes:
- Eating a balanced diet low in added sugars, refined carbohydrates, and saturated fats. Choose foods that are high in fibre, protein, and healthy fats. Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, nuts, seeds, and low-fat dairy products.
- Exercising regularly for at least 30 minutes a day, most days of the week. Physical activity can help lower your blood sugar levels, improve your insulin sensitivity, and maintain a healthy weight. You can do activities such as walking, swimming, cycling, or prenatal yoga. Talk to your doctor before starting any exercise program.
- Monitoring your blood sugar levels at home with a glucose metre. Your doctor will tell you how often and when to check your blood sugar levels. You may need to do it before and after meals, at bedtime, or at other times of the day. Keep a record of your results and share them with your doctor.
- Taking medication if needed. Some women with gestational diabetes may need to take insulin injections or oral medications to control their blood sugar levels. Your doctor will prescribe the type and dose of medication that is right for you. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully and do not stop or change your medication without consulting your doctor.
- Having regular checkups with your doctor and other health care providers. You will need to have more frequent visits during your pregnancy if you have gestational diabetes. Your doctor will monitor your blood pressure, weight gain, urine protein, and foetal growth. You may also need to have ultrasound tests to check on your baby's development and well-being.
Conclusion
Gestational diabetes is a common condition that can affect your pregnancy and your baby's health. However, with proper care and management, you can have a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby.
Sources:
[1] Gestational Diabetes | CDC https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/gestational.html
[2] Gestational Diabetes - Symptoms & Causes - Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gestational-diabetes/symptoms-causes/syc-20355339
[3] What is Gestational diabetes and its possible symptoms, causes, risks, and prevention methods? https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/condition/Gestational-diabetes/hp-Gestational-diabetes?source=conditioncdx