Gestational Diabetes
Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that develops during pregnancy. It affects how your cells use sugar (glucose) and can cause high blood sugar, which can affect your pregnancy and your baby’s health. Unlike type 1 and type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes typically resolves after childbirth. However, it increases the mother’s risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the future. Managing gestational diabetes involves healthy eating, regular exercise, and sometimes medication to keep blood sugar levels in check.
What are the Symptoms of Gestational Diabetes?
Gestational diabetes often doesn’t cause noticeable symptoms. However, some women may experience:
- Increased thirst
- Frequent urination
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Blurred vision
- Increased risk of infections, particularly bladder infections
What are the Symptoms of Gestational Diabetes?
Gestational diabetes often doesn’t cause noticeable symptoms. However, some women may experience:
- Increased thirst
- Frequent urination
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Blurred vision
- Increased risk of infections, particularly bladder infections
It’s important for pregnant women to undergo screening for gestational diabetes, as the symptoms can be mild or similar to typical pregnancy symptoms.
Causes of Gestational Diabetes
The exact cause of gestational diabetes is not known, but there are several contributing factors:
Hormonal Changes
During pregnancy, the placenta produces hormones that can lead to insulin resistance. As a result, the body needs more insulin to keep blood sugar levels normal.
Genetics
Family history of diabetes may increase risk of gestational diabetes
Previous Gestational Diabetes
Women who had gestational diabetes in a previous pregnancy are at a higher risk in subsequent pregnancies.
Age
Women over 25 years of age are at higher risk.
Weight
Being overweight or obese before pregnancy increases the likelihood of developing gestational diabetes.
Causes of Gestational Diabetes
The exact cause of gestational diabetes is not known, but there are several contributing factors:
: During pregnancy, the placenta produces hormones that can lead to insulin resistance. As a result, the body needs more insulin to keep blood sugar levels normal.
Family history of diabetes may increase risk of gestational diabetes.
Being overweight or obese before pregnancy increases the likelihood of developing gestational diabetes.
Women over 25 years of age are at higher risk.
Women who had gestational diabetes in a previous pregnancy are at a higher risk in subsequent pregnancies.
: During pregnancy, the placenta produces hormones that can lead to insulin resistance. As a result, the body needs more insulin to keep blood sugar levels normal.
Family history of diabetes may increase risk of gestational diabetes.
Being overweight or obese before pregnancy increases the likelihood of developing gestational diabetes.
Women over 25 years of age are at higher risk.
Women who had gestational diabetes in a previous pregnancy are at a higher risk in subsequent pregnancies.
Diagnosis and Tests by Totall Hospital
According to Dr. Sunil M Jain, a diabetes thyroid hormone expert at Totall Hospital Indore, diagnosing gestational diabetes is essential for every pregnant woman. The standard protocol includes:
Initial Screening
Around 24 to 28 weeks of pregnancy, women are screened for gestational diabetes using a glucose tolerance test.
Glucose Tolerance Test
The test involves fasting overnight, drinking a glucose solution containing 75 grams of anhydrous glucose, and then having blood samples taken at fasting, one hour, and two hours post-consumption.
Diagnostic Criteria
If the fasting blood sugar level is less than 92 mg/dL, it’s normal. If the one-hour post-glucose level is more than 180 mg/dL, or the two-hour level is more than 153 mg/dL, it indicates gestational diabetes.
Initial Screening
Around 24 to 28 weeks of pregnancy, women are screened for gestational diabetes using a glucose tolerance test.
Glucose Tolerance Test
The test involves fasting overnight, drinking a glucose solution containing 75 grams of anhydrous glucose, and then having blood samples taken at fasting, one hour, and two hours post-consumption.
Diagnostic Criteria
If the fasting blood sugar level is less than 92 mg/dL, it’s normal. If the one-hour post-glucose level is more than 180 mg/dL, or the two-hour level is more than 153 mg/dL, it indicates gestational diabetes.
