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What Is Gestational Diabetes |
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Gestational diabetes occurs in women who are not
diabetic prior to pregnancy, but who develop insulin resistance during
their pregnancy. Women who develop gestational diabetes are unable to
produce enough insulin for their bodies. Since not enough insulin is
available to convert the glucose in the blood stream into energy for the
body, the glucose levels increase causing hyperglycemia. This can be a
serious condition if it goes undiagnosed and untreated. If the pregnant
woman is seeking appropriate prenatal care, her health care practitioner
is checking for glucose in the urine routinely, and some perform a
finger stick as well.
Gestational diabetes may
not be as serious as an insulin dependent diabetic going through
pregnancy and delivery, but it can’t be ignored either. A proper diet is
essential in controlling blood sugar levels in gestational diabetes, as
well as regular exercise and keeping weight gained under control. These
factors all contribute to the birth of a healthy baby. According to
www.diabetes.org, if a mother with gestational diabetes does not keep
her blood glucose levels under control, the developing fetus will be
required to make more insulin to process the extra blood glucose that is
transferred to it via the placenta. The fetus has no real use for this
extra energy so it is stored as fat. This extra fat can cause the infant
to be large or macrosomic, which can lead to complications during
delivery, such as shoulder dystocia or dislocation. The infant can be so
large that it must be delivered via Cesarean section because it is too
large to pass through the birth canal. The newborn infant of the mother
with gestational diabetes can also be prone to having low blood sugar
values after birth, and must be monitored for signs of hypoglycemia. A
macrosomic baby is also prone to obesity and to potentially developing
Type II diabetes later on in their adult life.
Gestational diabetes can be managed, and doesn’t have to be an issue at all during
pregnancy. Women are encouraged to check their blood sugar levels
throughout the day and instructed to administer insulin if it is
required. If women with gestational diabetes can keep their blood
glucose levels under control, they are less likely to have complications
during the birth of their baby. Most women do not continue to have high
blood glucose levels after pregnancy, but some do go on to develop Type
I or II diabetes later on. Gestational diabetes usually occurs with
subsequent pregnancies as well. If you are pregnant and have developed
gestational diabetes, it is very important that you keep your regular
prenatal appointments and follow through with all recommendations made
by your health care provider. It is all in the best interest of you and your baby.
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