Gestational Diabetes
Gestational Diabetes Mellitus is a specific type of diabetes that only pregnant women get. To support the fetus as it grows, the mother's body makes hormones. In some women, these hormones work against their bodies, making them less able to make the insulin needed to get energy from body cells. Without this insulin, the level of sugar in the mother's blood starts to build up, which, if left untreated, can cause health problems for both mother and fetus.
Researchers estimate that Gestational Diabetes occurs in nearly 7 percent of all pregnancies. Unlike some other disorders that occur during pregnancy,
Gestational Diabetes is often treatable. Gestational Diabetes treatment plans should be designed by a health care provider to address a woman's specific health needs. In general, many
Gestational Diabetes treatment plans include: following a healthy meal plan as outlined by a health care provider; getting regular, moderate physical activity; maintaining a healthy weight gain; and measuring and recording blood sugar levels. Some women also need to take insulin or other medications to maintain a healthy pregnancy.
Even though it usually goes away after the baby is born, Gestational Diabetes can affect the health of both mother and baby later in life. For instance, women who have
Gestational Diabetes during pregnancy have a 40 percent greater chance of developing type 2 diabetes later in life. And, babies born to mothers with
Gestational Diabetes are at greater risk than babies born to other mothers of developing type 2 diabetes or being obese (extremely overweight) later in life.
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Because babies born to mothers with Gestational Diabetes tend to be larger than average,
Gestational Diabetes can also affect the way a baby is delivered. In some cases, the safest way to deliver a baby from a mother with
Gestational Diabetes is by surgery, called cesarean section; but, cesarean section delivery carries its own risks.
Prompt diagnosis of Gestational Diabetes is important, as it carries several risks to both mother and infant. For example, children born to mothers with
Gestational Diabetes may be “macrosomic”, a medical term meaning “severely obese.” This poses a risk of trauma to both mother and baby during the delivery. Macrosomic babies have a higher risk of hypoglycemia after birth – a dangerously low blood glucose level – as well as severe breathing problems. They are also at higher risk for potential long-term obesity and glucose intolerance.
Although the diagnosis should be taken seriously, Gestational Diabetes can be managed by some of the same measures with which
type 2 diabetes
is managed.
The first step is to make lifestyle changes that can prevent or reverse both
Gestational Diabetes and type 2 diabetes. These measures include nutritional therapy – which is best accomplished with the help of a dietician – to achieve what's called euglycemia, or blood glucose balance. It's important to ensure appropriate weight gain, but not weight loss, and adequate nutritional intake for both mother and baby. Exercise is encouraged, with the frequency and intensity of activity decided with your doctor based on your risk.
If reductions in blood glucose do not reach the recommended levels within two weeks with lifestyle changes, then certain types of insulin can be safely used in pregnancy.
Generally, glucose levels in women who have had Gestational Diabetes return to normal. However, these women do face an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life, so after the baby is delivered, a follow-up blood glucose test should be done within six months.
To reduce the risk of developing diabetes in the future, women should be encouraged to:
Breastfeed. Breastfeeding been shown to reduce the risk for subsequent diabetes in the baby.
• Follow a healthy lifestyle.
• Be screened regularly for the development of type 2 diabetes, or impaired glucose tolerance, also known as “prediabetes”.
• Consult their physician when planning their next pregnancy to check blood glucose levels, and consider taking a folic acid supplement to ensure the best outcomes.
With prompt diagnosis and good management, women with Gestational Diabetes can expect to have a healthy pregnancy and a happy, healthy baby.
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