Gestational diabetes symptoms do not always show up quickly. It also can be hard to
Determine which gestational diabetes symptoms are which. Gestational diabetes symptoms
have a tendency to manifest themselves as other conditions. Gestational
diabetes symptoms are known to affect about 18% of all pregnancies.
How does Gestational diabetes start?
This condition starts because your body
cannot make and use all the insulin that is needed for pregnancy.
Without an adequate amount of insulin glucose will build up in the
blood, and blood glucose numbers will skyrocket. Pregnancy helps to
create large levels of hormones which are made in the placenta. There
are other hormones that help prevent the mother from having a low blood
sugar which also work by hindering how insulin works in the mother’s
body.
Can Gestational diabetes affect the baby?
Gestational diabetes is usually only
common in the latter part of your pregnancy. Gestational diabetes does
not cause any birth defects. If you do not take care of your
gestational diabetes symptoms it can lead to an abnormally large baby.
Because even though your pancreas is making insulin it is not lowering
the blood sugar to the level it should be. This will in turn cause the
baby’s pancreas to produce additional insulin to lower the blood
glucose. With the extra produced insulin the baby has more energy than
it needs so that additional energy is stored as fat. There is also a
chance after birth that the baby’s blood sugar will drop lower after
birth because of its body being used to producing additional insulin to
compensate for the higher blood glucose levels in the mothers body.
What are the risk factors of gestational diabetes?
In addition to the Gestational diabetes symptoms there are many risk factors they include:
- Being overweight before becoming pregnant
- Having sugar in your urine
- Family history of diabetes
- Giving birth previously to a baby over 9 lobs
- Having Gestational Diabetes in another pregnancy
- Too much amniotic fluid
What are Gestational Diabetes symptoms?
For the most part most women do not
experience any symptoms associated with Gestational diabetes. In rare
cases some women will notice an increase in thirst, hunger and more
frequent urination.
It is very important to see your doctor immediately if you suspect any gestational diabetes symptoms.
How is Gestational diabetes symptoms treated?
Monitor blood sugar: You will want to check your blood
sugar around 4 to 5 times a day, before and after meals. Your baby’s
blood sugar will also be checked after delivery.
Healthy diet: By eating the correct foods and in a good quantity you will be able to control your blood sugar levels.
Exercise: Exercise is
important because it will help to lower your blood sugar levels, which
will mean less insulin for your body to produce.
Medications: A small
percentage of women will need insulin to maintain normal blood sugar
levels, this type of treatment can be in oral or injection form.
It is important to remember that there
are really not many specific Gestational diabetes symptoms to look out
for. You are the best advocate and know how your body works, if you
suspect any Gestational diabetes symptoms and signs contact your doctor right away.