Gestational diabetes can cause health problems for the mother and baby
Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes during pregnancy that typically develops between 24 and 28 weeks. It can occur in women who did not have diabetes before being pregnant. Our San Antonio OBGYNs emphasize the importance of diagnosis and proper management of this condition, as it can affect the health of both the mother and baby.
Why gestational diabetes develops
Diabetes develops during pregnancy when the body does not produce enough insulin or uses it inefficiently, resulting in high blood sugar levels. Changes a woman experiences during pregnancy, including increased hormone production and weight gain, may cause her cells to use insulin less efficiently. This can result in insulin resistance and lead to diabetes during pregnancy.
Mild or absent symptoms make testing essential
Diabetes during pregnancy frequently has no symptoms. If present, symptoms are likely very mild, including feeling thirsty or needing to urinate more often, making testing necessary.
Testing indicates how well the body uses glucose. It consists of a glucose challenge test, an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), or both. Both are blood tests that check blood sugar levels before and after drinking a sugary drink.
Testing typically occurs between 24 and 28 weeks. If you’re at higher risk, your doctor may test you earlier in your pregnancy. One or more factors may indicate a higher risk.
- Gestational diabetes or prediabetes during a previous pregnancy
- Overweight
- A family member with type 2 diabetes
- PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome)
- Gave birth to a baby weighing more than nine pounds
- African-American, American Indian, Asian-American, Hispanic/Latino, Pacific Islander, Native Hawaiian or Alaska Native
Can diabetes during pregnancy can negatively affect the mother and baby?
Possible impacts on the mother include preeclampsia, which can cause life-threatening high blood pressure and necessitate preterm delivery; higher chance of cesarean section (C-section); and increased risk of post-pregnancy type 2 diabetes.
The potential effects of gestational diabetes on the baby include premature birth; low blood sugar, which can require medical attention; birthweight of more than nine pounds, which may lead to complications during delivery; and breathing difficulty.
How do I managing blood sugar during pregnancy?
Maintaining a healthy weight prior to becoming pregnant can reduce the risk of diabetes during pregnancy. A healthy diet and regular exercise routine throughout pregnancy will also decrease risk and benefit the mother’s and baby’s overall health.
Our San Antonio OBGYNs can provide guidance on the proper amount of weight to gain during pregnancy. A woman’s pre-pregnancy weight often determines this.
What if diet and exercise aren’t enough?
A healthy diet and regular exercise are often enough to manage your blood sugar levels. If not, your doctor will discuss using insulin or another medicine to control it.
We want to help women be healthy throughout their pregnancies. Contact Legacy Women’s Health to schedule an appointment to discuss the prevention, testing and management of gestational diabetes.
