Unlocking Your Health: Gestational Diabetes
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Each year, approximately 2-10% of pregnant women in the United States are affected by gestational diabetes. The commonality of this diagnosis among pregnant women can feel intimidating and scary. However, it’s important to learn about gestational diabetes - including how to identify, treat, and prevent it - to ensure that you have a safe and healthy pregnancy.
*Please note: The Cincinnati Birth Center cannot be held accountable regarding the use of the following information. If you’re unsure if something is right for you and your baby, please consult your doctor.
What is gestational diabetes?
Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that can develop in pregnant women who did not have diabetes previous to their pregnancy. It occurs when your body can’t naturally produce enough insulin, thus causing high blood sugar. Oftentimes, gestational diabetes will go away in the weeks following delivery as hormone and blood sugar levels return to normal.
What causes gestational diabetes to develop?
While researchers still aren’t entirely certain why some women develop gestational diabetes and why others don’t, it’s believed that excessive weight before pregnancy often plays a role.
Usually, your body will regulate its hormones to keep your blood sugar levels in check. However, when pregnant your hormone levels are constantly changing, making it more difficult for your body to process blood sugar efficiently. This can cause your blood sugar to rise.
How can I identify if I have gestational diabetes?
Gestational diabetes often doesn’t show noticeable symptoms. You may notice an increase in thirst and urination, which can be possible symptoms. There are, however, common risk factors that may make you predisposed to gestational diabetes. These include factors such as:
Overweight & obesity pre-pregnancy
Lack of physical activity
Previous gestational diabetes or prediabetes
Previously delivering a baby of 9lbs or greater
Race - Women who are Black, Hispanic, Native American, and Asian American are statistically at a higher risk of developing gestational diabetes
In order to confirm whether or not you have gestational diabetes, you’ll need to be tested. For more information on identifying risks and testing for gestational diabetes, contact your doctor.
Treatment of Gestational Diabetes
If you are diagnosed with gestational diabetes, your doctor may prescribe you a treatment plan. This may include:
Checking your blood sugar regularly
Eating a healthy diet or following a prescribed meal plan
Getting physically active
Monitoring your baby’s growth & development regularly throughout the pregnancy
If you have gestational diabetes and do not follow recommended treatments by your doctor, you may be at risk of facing complications. Gestational diabetes complications that may affect your baby include excessive birth weight, preterm birth, breathing difficulties, low blood sugar which can cause seizures, obesity and Type 2 diabetes later in life, and stillbirths.
Additionally, untreated gestational diabetes can cause complications for mothers. These may include high blood pressure and preeclampsia, a higher likelihood of C-section, and future diabetes.
How To Prevent Gestational Diabetes
There are no guaranteed ways to prevent gestational diabetes. However, there are precautions you can take to lower your likelihood of risk. These include:
Eating a healthy diet
Remaining physically active
Beginning pregnancy at a healthy weight
Not gaining excessive pregnancy weight
Have further questions about gestational diabetes prevention and treatment that you’d like to ask our team? Contact us.
Sources
“Gestational Diabetes.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 10 Aug. 2021, https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/gestational.html.
“Gestational Diabetes.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 26 Aug. 2020, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gestational-diabetes/symptoms-causes/syc-20355339.
