SUGAR ATTACK

GESTATIONAL DIABETES AND HOW IT AFFECTS YOUR PREGNANCY.

Text Moira Vallet-Goldstein

CHECK YOUR BLOOD SUGAR LEVELS BEFORE AND DURING PREGNANCY TO AVOID GESTATIONAL DIABETES. GESTATIONAL DIABETES CAUSES HIGH BLOOD SUGAR THAT CAN AFFECT YOUR PREGNANCY AND YOUR BABY’S HEALTH. BUT THE RISKS CAN BE REDUCED IF THE CONDITION IS DETECTED EARLY AND WELL MANAGED.

What is gestational diabetes?

Gestational diabetes is diabetes diagnosed for the first-time during pregnancy (gestation). If you have gestational diabetes, the chances of having problems with your pregnancy can be reduced by controlling your blood sugar levels.

Gestational diabetes occurs when your body can’t make enough insulin during your pregnancy. Insulin is a hormone made by your pancreas that acts like a key to let blood sugar into the cells in your body for 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 use insulin less effectively, 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. They start pregnancy with an increased need for insulin and are more likely to have gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes usually develops around the 24th week of pregnancy, so you’ll probably be tested between 24 and 28 weeks.

Preventing gestational diabetes

Before you get pregnant, you may be able to prevent gestational diabetes by losing weight if you’re overweight and getting regular physical activity.

Don’t try to lose weight if you’re already pregnant. You’ll need to gain some weight – but not too quickly – for your baby to be healthy. Talk to your doctor about how much weight you should gain for a healthy pregnancy.

Symptoms and risk factors

Gestational diabetes can happen at any stage of pregnancy, but it is more common in the second or third trimester. Diabetes does not usually cause any symptoms. Most cases are only discovered when your blood sugar levels are tested during screening for gestational diabetes. If you’re at higher risk for gestational diabetes, your doctor may test you earlier. Blood sugar that is higher than normal early in your pregnancy may indicate you have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes rather than gestational diabetes.

You’re at increased risk if you are:

Over 40 years of age
Your body mass index (BMI) is above 30. (Use the BMI healthy weight calculator to work out your BMI. The body mass index (BMI) uses height and weight to determine whether you are overweight or obese. Body Mass Index is a simple calculation using a person’s height and weight. The formula is BMI = kg/m² where kg is a person’s weight in kilograms and m² is their height in metres squared.)
You previously had a baby who weighed 4kg or more at birth.
You had gestational diabetes in a previous pregnancy.
One of your parents or siblings has diabetes.
You are of south Asian, Black, African Caribbean or Middle Eastern origin.
You had a gastric bypass or other weight-loss surgery.
You’ve had polycystic ovary syndrome (a hormonal disorder causing enlarged ovaries with small cysts on the outer edge).

How will you know if you have gestational diabetes?

You may not experience any symptoms. Some women may develop symptoms if their blood sugar levels get too high (hyperglycaemia), such as:

Increased thirst
Needing to pee more often than usual
A dry mouth
Tiredness
Blurred eyesight
Genital itching or thrush

But some of these symptoms are common during pregnancy and are not necessarily a sign of gestational diabetes. The best way to find out is to get tested.

Treatments for gestational diabetes

Your blood sugar levels will usually return to normal after your baby is born. However, about 50% of women with gestational diabetes go on to develop Type 2 diabetes. You can lower your risk by reaching a healthy body weight after delivery. Visit your doctor to have your blood sugar tested 6-12 weeks after your baby is born and then every 1-3 years to make sure your levels are on target.

Blood sugar levels may be reduced by changing your diet and being more active if you can.

Gentle activities such as walking, swimming and prenatal yoga can help reduce blood sugar. But tell your doctor or midwife before starting an activity you haven’t done before.

However, if these changes don’t lower your blood sugar levels enough, you will need to take medicine as well. This may be tablets or insulin injections.

Sources: www.cdc.gov / www.mayoclinic.org / www.nhs.uk / www.diabetessa.org.za / www.hopkinsmedicine.org;

September 27, 1978 | Categories: Parent & Child Magazine | Tags: Diabetes, Pregnancy

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