Gestational Diabetes

Advertisements

Gestational Diabetes is one of the types of diabetes that is experienced by pregnant women only. Such women do not have any past history of diabetes. However, during pregnancy the patient’s body does not produce enough insulin leading to high blood sugar levels. Usually this condition is experienced during third trimester of pregnancy.

Gestational diabetes is risked in women who have a family history of type 2 diabetes. Apart from that obesity could also be a possible risk factor for pregnant women. Pregnant women who are over 35 years of age are also at risk of developing gestational diabetes. A previous child with a high birth rate, a previous history of gestational diabetes or a poor obstetric history can also be a possible risk factor for pregnant women.

Gestational Diabetes generally does not have any kind of symptoms. Usually patients don’t find out until they get tested for glucose intolerance in their third trimester. However, some women might feel increased thirst, frequent urination, lethargy, slight reaction after eating certain kinds of foods such as juices containing sugar or carbohydrates. However, these symptoms are generally a by-product of pregnancy itself. There are a number of tests that are performed for gestational diabetes screening in patients. The first of these tests is called non-challenge blood glucose tests which includes fasting glucose test, 2 hour postprandial glucose test and random glucose test. More advanced and accurate tests are screening glucose challenge test and oral glucose tolerance test. These tests actually measure the tolerance of patient’s body towards high levels of glucose.

Gestational diabetes carries a number of risk factors for the mothers to be and the baby. The baby is at risk or developing Macrosomia (overweight baby), shoulder dystocia (birth trauma), prolonged newborn jaundice, low blood calcium, neonatal hypoglycemia, respiratory distress syndrome, still birth and death in infancy etc. On the other hand, the mother is at a higher risk of developing type 2 Diabetes and same is the case with the baby. The mothers also are at high risk of suffering from pre-eclampsia as well as delivery through Caesarean section.

There is no proper care for gestational diabetes. It is a medical condition that is temporary in nature in most of the patients. However, control is possible in every case. A better control leads to fewer complications during pregnancy and less threats to the baby and the mother. On the other hand, a better control also leads to non occurrence of Type 2 diabetes afterwards. Gestational diabetes can be effectively controlled by maintaining  adequate blood glucose level and body weight during pregnancy. Changing your meal plan, physical exercise and activity and if required intake of insulin can effectively control this disease.

Since it is temporary in nature, this condition resolves after delivery. However, the chances of recurrence of this disease in the next pregnancy becomes significant in such patients especially if the pregnancy is within one year of the previous one. Treatment and control can lead to minimization of risks to both the baby and the mother.