Did you know that every year 5% to 9% of U.S. pregnancies are affected by Gestational Diabetes?- So if you thought you were the only one, you're not.
Gestational diabetes is diabetes diagnosed for the first time during pregnancy. Gestational diabetes is a form of high blood sugar that develops during pregnancy and can have serious health consequences for both the mother and the baby, so expectant mothers need to be aware of the risk factors and take proper steps to prevent or deal with the condition.
Because gestational diabetes can put you and your baby at risk if not treated right away, It's important for you to get tested for gestational diabetes so you can begin treatment to protect your baby's health as well as your own.
When Should I Get Tested?
Gestational diabetes usually develops around the 24th week of pregnancy so testing begins between 24 and 28 weeks. Glucose screening tests are done throughout your pregnancy that test your glucose (sugar) levels.
If you're at higher risk for gestational diabetes, If your blood sugar is higher than normal early in your pregnancy, or if your urine results show high levels of glucose, your doctor may test you earlier.
What Are The Risks of Gestational Diabetes?
Gestational diabetes is usually temporary. If you have gestational diabetes during pregnancy, generally your blood sugar returns to its usual level soon after delivery. But if you've had gestational diabetes, you are at a higher risk of getting type 2 diabetes.
Although most mothers with gestational diabetes have healthy pregnancies, there are some risks to keep in mind that you could always talk about with your healthcare provider. Some risks include:
Having a large baby
Too much amniotic fluid around the baby
Premature birth
Pre-eclampsia
Low blood sugar in your baby
Jaundice in your baby
Stillbirth, though this is rare
Remember risk means that it might happen, not that it will happen. For mothers out there who are just getting pregnant or want to get pregnant and believe they could be at risk for gestational diabetes, these are some risks that could encourage gestational diabetes.
Being overweight or obese before pregnancy
Having a family history of diabetes (including gestational diabetes)
Having previously given birth to a large baby (over 9 pounds)
Being older than 25 years old
Having high blood pressure or high cholesterol
Having a history of gestational diabetes or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
So How Do Pregnant Women Get Gestational Diabetes?
Some people are unsure why gestational diabetes occurs but according to the CDC, gestational diabetes happens when your body can't make enough insulin during your pregnancy. Insulin is a hormone made by your pancreas and it acts like a key to let blood sugar into the cells in your body to use as energy.
During pregnancy, your body makes more hormones and goes through other changes, such as weight gain. These changes cause your body's cells to stop responding well to insulin, a condition called insulin resistance. Insulin resistance increases your body's need for insulin.
All pregnant women have some insulin resistance during late pregnancy. However, some women have insulin resistance even before they get pregnant, and considering they start pregnancy with an increased need for insulin they are more likely to develop gestational diabetes.
Is Gestational Diabetes Preventable?
Luckily gestational diabetes is preventable and you can lower your risk of getting diabetes during your pregnancy with these few tips:
Maintain a healthy weight
Eat a healthy diet
Stay active
Monitor your blood sugar
So What do I do If I Have Gestational Diabetes?
If you’re diagnosed with gestational diabetes, you will need help from your doctor, nurses, and other members of your healthcare team so that your treatment can change as needed. For mothers-to-be, proper treatment helps lower the risk of a cesarean section birth or other dangers to your baby such as size. Sticking to your treatment plan provided by your doctor or specialist will give you a healthy pregnancy and birth, and may help your baby avoid poor health in the future.
Treatments include tasks such as:
Checking your blood sugar levels regularly with a blood testing kit
Eating a healthy diet
Staying active
Medicine intake (take your diabetic medicine as prescribed)
Induced birth
Gestational diabetes doesn’t have to stop you from having a healthy pregnancy. If your practitioner diagnoses you with diabetes 4th Trimester Place is here to help you get through your treatment and talk with you about managing medication, birth, and aftercare for you, your baby, and your family. If you would like to talk more about diabetes treatment with 4th Trimester Place, call our office at 833 Here-4-U-4 (437-3484) or book an appointment with us today.
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