What is Gestational Diabetes and How can I protect my baby?

What is Gestational Diabetes?

Pregnant women who have never had diabetes but have high blood sugar levels late into their pregnancy have gestational diabetes. This type of diabetes No one knows what causes this type of diabetes but there are some theories. Hormones in the placenta help the baby to grow. However, these hormones can conflict with the mother’s insulin in her body, causing insulin resistance. Insulin resistance causes the mother to have to produce more insulin. Glucose can build up in the body when insulin resistance occurs because it inhibits the ability to change glucose into energy. Therefore, it causes a glucose buildup, which is where the high levels of blood sugar come from.  

Symptoms and Risk Factors

For most people, gestational diabetes does not display any noticeable signs or symptoms. Rare symptoms that can occur include excessive thirst or increased urination.

Risk factors for those that may develop gestational diabetes include:
Women older than age 25 are more likely to develop gestational diabetes
Family or personal health history with any form of diabetes or prediabetes(slightly elevated blood sugar that may be a precursor to type 2 diabetes)
Excess Weight

Preparing for Pregnancy

If possible, seek health care early when you are first thinking about getting pregnant. Ask your doctor to evaluate your risk of gestational diabetes as part of your overall wellness place for your pregnancy. If gestational diabetes does occur during pregnancy, you may need more frequent checkups so your doctor can monitor your blood sugar levels and your baby’s health.

Your doctor may refer you to additional health professional that specialize in diabetes management, such as an endocrinologist, a registered dietician or a diabetes educator.

After the baby is born, your doctor will check your blood sugar directly after delivery and again in six weeks. Once you’ve had gestational diabetes, it’s a good idea to have your blood sugar tested on a regular basis. The frequency of testing depends on your tests results after delivery of your baby.

How to Protect your Baby

Gestational diabetes affects the mother late into her pregnancy. The baby’s body is already formed so it should not affect how the baby forms.

You can protect your baby by managing your health during pregnancy. Develop a healthy meal plan, exercise and if needed, based on doctor evaluation, take insulin.

 After pregnancy there is an increased risk the baby could develop jaundice. However, jaundice goes away rapidly with treatment that often involves exposing your baby to special lights to get rid of the pigments that the discoloration in the skin.

Only Affects 4% of Pregnant Women

The American Diabetes Association explains that gestational diabetes affects 4% of all pregnant women –approximately 135,000 cases occur in the United States each year. This is not a high percentage of women. However, it is important to be aware your body during the pregnancy. Plus, eating healthy and getting exercise is good all around whether you have gestational diabetes or not.

Sources:http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/gestational/what-is-gestational-diabetes.html
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/gestational-diabetes/DS00316/DSECTION=symptoms
http://diabetes.webmd.com/guide/gestational_diabetes?page=4

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