Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that can develop during pregnancy. It is a condition that can affect both mother and baby by increasing the risk of certain complications. So it is important to understand what gestational diabetes is, the impact it can have on pregnancies and management steps that can be taken to help ensure a healthy pregnancy outcome.
What is Gestational Diabetes?
Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that develops during pregnancy, usually during the 24th to 28th week. This type of diabetes occurs when the body cannot produce enough insulin to meet the increased demands of pregnancy, which may lead to high blood sugar levels.
Potential complications of gestational diabetes
Gestational diabetes not only affects the mother’s health but can also have implications for the baby’s well-being. Gestational diabetes can increase the risk of the following complications, particularly when it is left untreated.
- Preterm Birth – Gestational diabetes increases the risk of preterm birth, where the baby is born before 37 weeks of pregnancy.
- Hypoglycemia – Babies born to mothers with gestational diabetes may experience low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) shortly after birth as their bodies adjust to no longer receiving the excess glucose from the mother.
- Large baby – Babies born to mothers with gestational diabetes are at risk of being larger than average (macrosomia), which can increase the likelihood of birth injuries and the need for a cesarean delivery.
- Preeclampsia – Women with gestational diabetes are at an increased risk of developing preeclampsia, a potentially serious condition characterized by high blood pressure and protein in the urine.
- Future health risk – Although gestational diabetes usually resolves after birth, women have a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.
The good news is that with proper prenatal management, the risk of these complications can be reduced. It is important to follow the guidance of your prenatal team, attend all prenatal checkups, and access the services available to women with gestational diabetes.
Early Symptoms of Gestational Diabetes
While gestational diabetes may not always present with noticeable symptoms, some early signs to watch out for include:
- Increased thirst and urination – One early sign of gestational diabetes is frequent thirst and urination. You might find yourself drinking more fluids than usual and needing to visit the bathroom more frequently.
- Fatigue and weakness – Feeling unusually tired or fatigued, even after getting enough rest, can be a sign of gestational diabetes. The body’s inability to properly utilize glucose for energy can leave you feeling drained and exhausted.
- Blurred vision – Blurred vision can occur when high blood sugar levels cause changes in the shape of the lens of the eye.
- Increased hunger – Persistent hunger, especially shortly after eating, can be a sign of gestational diabetes.
- Unexplained weight loss – Unexplained weight loss despite regular eating habits can indicate a problem with blood sugar regulation. Gestational diabetes can lead to weight loss as the body tries to rid itself of excess sugar through urine.
Screening for Gestational Diabetes
Women are usually tested for gestational diabetes between weeks 24 and 28 of pregnancy. This is a routine test that should be readily available to all pregnant women. Remember, you needn’t be previously diagnosed with diabetes to develop gestational diabetes. It can happen to any woman during any pregnancy.
In cases where your medical or obstetric history puts you at greater risk for gestational diabetes, your doctor may recommend testing slightly earlier than week 24.
Managing Diabetes
Managing diabetes in pregnancy is something that should be done alongside your doctor and healthcare team. Over the course of your pregnancy, you will need to have your blood sugar levels monitored and may need to undergo additional scans to monitor the baby’s growth and development.
In general, the successful management of gestational diabetes usually involves a combination of the following:
Dietary changes
Follow a healthy eating plan that has been recommended by your doctor or dietitian. A healthy diet can help regulate insulin levels and lower the risk of associated complications..
Light exercise
Light physical activity, such as walking or swimming, can help manage gestational diabetes. However, speak to your doctor prior to engaging in any form of exercise. They may recommend specific exercises suitable for your circumstances.
Medications to help control blood sugar levels
In some cases, dietary changes and physical activity alone are not sufficient to control blood sugar levels. If this occurs, your doctor may recommend pregnancy-safe medications that you can take. It is important to always take medication as prescribed. If you have questions about medication side effects or safety, be sure to discuss these with your doctor.
More frequent prenatal checkups
Due to some of the increased risks to both you and your baby, you may need to attend a few more prenatal checkups. This will likely occur during the last three months of pregnancy. These checkups are used as an opportunity to further monitor your health and progress.
Gestational diabetes is a common condition that affects millions of women around the world but with early detection, good prenatal care and proper management, it’s possible to have a healthy and happy pregnancy. Be sure to pay attention to the early signs of diabetes, undergo screening as recommended and reach out to your prenatal team if you have any questions or concerns.
