Gestational Diabetes

Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that some women develop for the first time while they are pregnant. It happens because your body has trouble using sugar (glucose) effectively. This means your blood sugar levels get too high. High blood sugar during pregnancy can be a problem for both you and your baby.

While any pregnancy complication can be worrisome, there are ways to manage gestational diabetes. You can help control your blood sugar by making smart food choices, getting regular exercise, and, if needed, taking medicine. By keeping your blood sugar under control, you can help ensure a healthy pregnancy and delivery for both you and your baby.

Usually, blood sugar levels return to normal after delivery. However, having gestational diabetes increases your chances of developing type 2 diabetes later in life. After pregnancy, you'll need to have your blood sugar checked more often to monitor for any changes.

Gestational diabetes often has no noticeable warning signs. Sometimes, people experience increased thirst and needing to urinate more often. These are possible symptoms, but not everyone with gestational diabetes will have them.

Getting regular checkups before and during pregnancy is important, especially if you're planning to have a baby.

Talking to your doctor early on, even before you try to get pregnant, is a good idea. This allows your doctor to assess your overall health and potential risks, including gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that can develop during pregnancy.

When you're pregnant, your doctor will check for gestational diabetes as part of your regular prenatal care. If you're diagnosed with gestational diabetes, you might need more frequent checkups. These extra appointments are usually scheduled during the last three months of pregnancy. Your doctor will closely monitor your blood sugar levels and your baby's health to ensure everything is going well.

Understanding Gestational Diabetes

Why some women develop gestational diabetes during pregnancy and others don't is still a mystery to researchers. A significant factor is often a woman's weight before becoming pregnant.

Normally, your body uses various hormones to maintain stable blood sugar levels. But during pregnancy, these hormone levels shift. This shift makes it more challenging for your body to manage blood sugar effectively. As a result, blood sugar levels can rise.

Gestational diabetes, a type of diabetes that develops during pregnancy, isn't always avoidable. However, certain factors increase your risk. These include:

• Weight: Being overweight or obese significantly raises your chances of developing gestational diabetes. Extra weight puts extra strain on your body, and this can make it harder for your body to manage blood sugar levels during pregnancy.

• Physical Activity: Not getting enough exercise can contribute to gestational diabetes. Regular physical activity helps regulate blood sugar and maintain a healthy weight, both of which are crucial for a healthy pregnancy.

• Prediabetes: If you already have prediabetes, meaning your blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not yet diabetic, you have a higher risk of developing gestational diabetes during pregnancy. Prediabetes often goes unnoticed, so it's essential to get regular checkups.

• Past Gestational Diabetes: If you've had gestational diabetes in a previous pregnancy, you're more likely to experience it again. This is because your body may have difficulty regulating blood sugar levels during pregnancy.

• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): PCOS is a hormonal condition that can affect your body's ability to process sugar. If you have PCOS, you're at a higher risk for gestational diabetes.

• Family History: If a close relative, such as a parent or sibling, has diabetes, you have a greater chance of developing gestational diabetes. This suggests a genetic predisposition to blood sugar issues.

• Large Baby in Previous Pregnancy: If you've previously delivered a baby weighing over 9 pounds, your risk of gestational diabetes is increased. A larger baby often indicates higher blood sugar levels during pregnancy.

• Race and Ethnicity: Certain racial and ethnic groups, including Black, Hispanic, American Indian, and Asian American individuals, face a higher risk of gestational diabetes. This difference in risk may be due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

It's important to understand these risk factors. Talking to your doctor about your personal risk and taking steps to manage these factors, such as maintaining a healthy weight and staying active, can significantly reduce your chances of developing gestational diabetes.

Uncontrolled gestational diabetes, a type of diabetes that develops during pregnancy, can lead to high blood sugar levels. High blood sugar during pregnancy can be harmful to both the mother and the baby. One potential complication is an increased risk of needing a cesarean section (C-section) delivery.

Preventing gestational diabetes during pregnancy isn't guaranteed, but healthy habits beforehand can definitely help. If you've had gestational diabetes in the past, these habits can also lower your risk of it happening again or developing type 2 diabetes later.

Here are some important steps:

1. Nourish Your Body with Healthy Foods:

Eating well is key. Focus on foods that are packed with fiber and low in fat and empty calories. Think plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Variety is important—different colors and types of fruits and vegetables offer a range of nutrients without sacrificing flavor. Also, be mindful of portion sizes. A little goes a long way!

2. Stay Active:

Regular exercise before and during pregnancy is very beneficial for preventing gestational diabetes. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity activity most days of the week. This could be a brisk walk, cycling, swimming, or even short bursts of activity throughout the day, like parking farther away from the store or taking a quick walk break. Any movement helps!

3. Start Pregnancy at a Healthy Weight:

If you're planning a pregnancy, maintaining a healthy weight before conception is a great advantage. This means making long-term healthy changes to your diet now. Focus on increasing your intake of fruits and vegetables. These foods are nutritious and can help you feel full without adding excess calories.

4. Manage Weight Gain During Pregnancy:

Gaining some weight during pregnancy is normal and healthy. However, gaining too much weight too quickly can increase your risk of gestational diabetes. Talk to your doctor about a healthy weight gain recommendation for you—it will depend on your individual circumstances. They can help you create a personalized plan.

During pregnancy, some women are at higher risk for gestational diabetes. This is a type of diabetes that develops during pregnancy. Your doctor will likely test you for this condition.

Who needs testing?

Most women who are at average risk will get tested between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy. However, if you are at higher risk, testing might happen earlier, perhaps even at your first doctor's appointment. Being overweight or obese before pregnancy, having a family history of diabetes (in a parent, sibling, or child), or having had gestational diabetes in a previous pregnancy are all risk factors.

How are you tested?

The tests usually involve drinking a sugary liquid (glucose solution). Your blood sugar level is then measured.

• Glucose Challenge Test: You drink the sugary liquid, and an hour later, your blood sugar is checked. A blood sugar reading over a certain level (usually around 190 milligrams per deciliter or mg/dL) suggests you may have gestational diabetes. A reading below a certain level (usually below 140 mg/dL) is typically normal, but the exact numbers might vary slightly between different healthcare providers. If your blood sugar level is high, a follow-up test is needed.

• Glucose Tolerance Test: This is a more detailed test. You drink a different, stronger sugary liquid, and your blood sugar is checked every hour for three hours. If your blood sugar is too high on at least two of these readings, you might have gestational diabetes.

It's important to remember that these tests are designed to help your doctor determine if you need further care and support to manage your blood sugar levels during pregnancy. If you have any concerns or questions, please talk to your healthcare provider.