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Gestational Diabetes: Take a little break from sugar.


 

Have you been diagnosed with gestational diabetes?

Don’t panic

This blog helps you to understand all about gestational diabetes and what you have to do to take care of yourself during gestational diabetes.

It is important to monitor your sugar levels to avoid complications because high blood sugar can cause complications. Let us understand gestational diabetes before knowing some facts related to Gestational diabetes.

Did you Know?

  • Gestational women usually don't have symptoms, and all women are tested for it.
  • Gestational Diabetes can go away after pregnancy, but half of the women develop type 2 diabetes.
  • Women with gestational diabetes should have their blood sugar tested every 1 to 3 years after pregnancy. 

Gestational diabetes(GD)

Gestational diabetes is a condition affecting about 10% of women during pregnancy in which blood sugar levels become high during pregnancy. A healthy diet and exercise usually can help keep GD under control, but some might need insulin. If left untreated, it can cause health problems for both mother and baby.

It usually appears in the middle of pregnancy, between 24 and 28 weeks. It usually resolves after giving birth but can increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. 

Causes of Gestational Diabetes

  1. Hormonal changes: A hormone called insulin breaks down the glucose (sugar) from food and delivers it to our cells. Insulin keeps the level of glucose in the blood at a healthy level. During pregnancy, hormones can interfere with the insulin work.
  2. Family history: Having an immediate family member with diabetes or a mother passing this to her daughter.
  3. Health condition: PCOS and pregnancy create the perfect storm for gestational diabetes because women with PCOS are insulin resistant, and being pregnant increases glucose in the blood.

Risk factors for GD include:

  • Heart disease.
  • High blood pressure.
  • Inactivity.
  • Obesity.
  • Previous birth of a heavy baby weighing more than 3kg
  • Older than 25

Gestational diabetes complications for the mother

  • Cesarean birth (C-section) if the baby is heavy.
  • Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
  • Preeclampsia (high blood pressure during pregnancy).
  • Risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

Gestational diabetes complications for the baby:

  • Breathing problems.
  • Hypoglycemia.
  • Obesity.
  • Premature birth.
  • Type 2 diabetes.

Symptoms of GD:

Gestational diabetes doesn’t usually cause any symptoms. But some women may experience:

  • Frequent urination.
  • Nausea.
  • Thirst.
  • Tiredness

Test and Diagnosis for GD:

The test may have two parts:

Glucose challenge test: TWO-STEP TESTING

  • Do not drink or eat anything for 8 hours before the test.
  • Drink a liquid that contains glucose.
  • Blood is drawn 1 hour after drinking the glucose solution to check blood glucose level.
  •  A 3-hour glucose tolerance test is advised if blood glucose levels are high.
  • A sugar level below 140 mg/dL is considered normal.
  • A sugar level of 140 mg/dL but less than 190 mg/dL indicates the need for a three-hour glucose tolerance test to diagnose gestational diabetes.
  • A sugar level of 190 mg/dl or higher indicates gestational diabetes. Further testing might not be needed.

Glucose tolerance test: ONE-STEP TESTING

  • Do not drink or eat anything for 8 hours before the test.
  • Drink a liquid containing glucose (75 g).
  • Blood is drawn out before you drink the liquid at an interval of 60 minutes.
  • Each time, the blood glucose levels will be checked.

This tolerance test can confirm a diagnosis of gestational diabetes.

Gestational Diabetes Treatment

If a woman is diagnosed with gestational diabetes, she’ll need treatment as soon as possible to keep herself and her baby healthy during her pregnancy and delivery. The doctor will ask to:

  • Check blood sugar levels four or more times a day
  • Check urine for ketones, chemicals that mean that diabetes isn’t under control
  • Eat a healthy diet
  • Make exercise a habit

The doctor will keep track of the weight and the baby’s development. They might give insulin or another medicine to keep blood sugar under control. So, before any complications, consult your doctor.

Be healthiest during pregnancy!!!!!

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