Gestational diabetes, what it is and how to deal with it
Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes brought on by pregnancy. If you’re at risk — and especially if you’ve been diagnosed — it’s important to understand how gestational diabetes can affect you and your baby
Roughly 6% to 9% of people who are pregnant will develop gestational diabetes. With this condition, the pancreas does not produce enough insulin to control sugar levels in the blood.
What are the warning signs of gestational diabetes?
You probably won’t know you have gestational d. because there usually aren’t noticeable symptoms.
That’s why screening for gestational d. between your second to third trimester is so important.
In some rare cases, patients with extremely high blood sugar may feel tired, thirsty and need to urinate more than usual.
What causes gestational diabetes?
Gestational d. is high blood sugar that first develops during pregnancy.
When you’re pregnant, hormonal changes make your body less effective at using insulin, which is the hormone produced by your pancreas that manages blood sugar levels.
If your pancreas is unable to adjust and produce more insulin to control your blood sugar, you have gestational d..
Obesity, high blood pressure, prediabetes and a family history of diabetes increase your chance of developing gestational diabetes; so does being African American, Latinx, Native American, Asian American and Pacific Islander.
How can diabetes affect my baby’s health?
The health risks depend on the type of diabetes, how well blood sugars are controlled and the stage of your pregnancy.
During your first trimester, poorly-controlled type 1 or type 2 diabetes puts your baby at increased risk for birth defects, including heart, brain and spine malformations.
Later in pregnancy, diabetes can lead to your baby being too large for a safe vaginal delivery, being born prematurely and having severe problems from being born early.
It can also cause your baby to be born with low blood sugar and be at increased risk for obesity and Type 2 diabetes later in life.
Still, it’s important to remember that patients with gestational d. can have healthy babies – and the better diabetes is controlled throughout your pregnancy, the greater the likelihood you’ll have a healthy baby.
Can eating too much sugar cause gestational diabetes?
This is a common misunderstanding about gestational d. Eating sugary foods, like candies or soda drinks, doesn’t increase your risk for developing gestational diabetes.
However, eating too much sugar does cause weight gain, and obesity increases your chance of developing gestational diabetes.
Can gestational diabetes be prevented?
You can reduce your chance of developing gestational diabetes by:
- Maintaining a healthy weight before you get pregnant
- Eating a balanced diet, including vegetables, fruits, whole grains, seafood and lean meats
Following a regular exercise schedule will also reduce your risk.
Talk to your doctor if you’re not sure about which exercise regimen would be best for you.
How can I get rid of gestational diabetes?
You can’t get rid of diabetes during pregnancy, so the best way to lessen its effects is to work closely with your doctor and stick to your treatment plan.
Controlling gestational diabetes depends on:
- Making diet modifications
- Ensuring regular exercise
- Carefully monitoring your blood sugar levels throughout your pregnancy
Follow the recommended weight gain set out by your doctor.
This varies, but generally, the higher your weight is before pregnancy, the less weight you should gain during pregnancy.
Gestational d. that can’t be managed through diet and exercise alone requires medications, such as insulin.
The good news is that gestational diabetes often goes away after giving birth.
If I have gestational diabetes, will I have to deliver early?
Possibly, but the more your diabetes is controlled, the less your chances are of delivering early.
Does having gestational diabetes mean I’ll have to give birth by C-section?
Poorly controlled diabetes can cause babies to grow too big and have trouble passing through the birth canal safely.
If this happens, your doctor may recommend medical interventions, like delivering via C-section, to avoid injuries during birth.
What kind of diabetes care do I need after I’ve had my baby?
Again, for many patients, diabetes resolves shortly after childbirth.
But if it doesn’t, it’s considered to be pre-diabetes or Type 2 diabetes.
To determine the status of diabetes and whether you need medication to control it, your doctor will check your blood sugar after you give birth and again six to eight weeks later.
Don’t postpone this follow-up care for your own health, even if you’re busy taking care of a new baby.
Managing your diabetes well today can prevent long-term health problems in the future, including cardiovascular, nerve and eye damage.
Does having gestational diabetes mean I’ll have diabetes later in life?
Roughly half of patients who have gestational d. go on to develop Type 2 diabetes within 20 years.
But you can reduce your risk of developing Type 2 by maintaining a healthy diet and weight.
If you’re able to breastfeed, that can really help with after-pregnancy weight loss and may decrease your chance of type 2 diabetes later on.
Your body also needs at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise every week.
Granted, it’s not always easy finding time to exercise, but this could be as simple as a quick 20-minute brisk walk every day.
You should also have your blood sugar level tested annually.
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