During pregnancy, a few women develop high blood sugar levels or no insulin production. This condition is known as gestational diabetes. It develops between the 24th and 27th weeks of pregnancy.
About (2 to 10 %) of pregnant get gestational diabetes. The ideal range of glucose for pregnant should be – 70 to 100 mg/dL before meals. – Less than 120 mg/dL two hours after eating.
If you have gestational diabetes while pregnant, it doesn’t matter how you had diabetes before pregnancy. But it increases your risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the future.
I had earlier shared All About Diabetes Insipidus. I hope you read the post.
Table of Contents
How do you get gestational diabetes?
Generally, many hormones work to keep your blood sugar levels in check. But during pregnancy, your hormone levels change, making it harder for your body to process blood sugar efficiently. That makes your blood sugar rise.
Diabetes in pregnancy symptoms
For women, it rare for gestational diabetes to cause symptoms. If you do any symptoms like that,
On mother:
- Kidney problem and Eye
- Complicated labor and cesarean delivery due to a large baby.
- Having a miscarriage (The end of a pregnancy before the 24th week).
On baby:
- Large baby over 4 kg (macrosomia)
- Low blood sugar
- Newborn with health problems shortly after birth like heart and breathing problem.
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Gestational diabetes risk factors
Some women have a higher risk of gestational diabetes. Risk factor includes the following:
- Overweight mother before got pregnancy
- Family history of diabetes
- An absence of physical activity.
- Had a miscarriage
- When expecting multiple babies
- Previously given birth to a baby weight more than 9 pounds.
- High Blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Heart disease or other medical complication
I have already covered:
Diagnosis and tests
If you have no known record of diabetes and regular blood sugar levels at the beginning of pregnancy, then your doctor will screen you for gestational diabetes when you’re 24 to 28 weeks pregnant.
Glucose Tolerance Test (GTT)
The glucose screening test typical result is blood sugar that is ≤140mg/dL, 1 hour after drinking the glucose solution. If the product is not specific; we do Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT):
- Do the test first before the pregnant eat or take anything.
- Give a pregnant a liquid that contains (100 grams) of glucose.
- Test the blood after 1 hour, then 2 hours, then 3 hours.
- If more than one of the blood glucose results is higher than usual, pregnant have gestational diabetes.
If you’re at higher risk but your test results are typical, your doctor tests you once more later in your pregnancy to make sure you still don’t have it.
How is gestational diabetes treated?
While you have gestational diabetes, your treatment plan will depend on your blood sugar levels throughout the day.
- Your doctor will guide you through testing your blood sugar before and after your meals in many situations. And check your urine for ketones, chemicals that mean your diabetes isn’t under control.
- Your doctor also advises you to insulin injections until you give birth.
- It can manage by eating healthy food and exercising regularly.
Must read: Care and Treatment Of Women During Pregnancy
Exercise and diet for gestational diabetes
A balanced exercise and diet are crucial to managing gestational diabetes. Eating your food regularly and every two hours can also help you to control your blood sugar.
Eat carbohydrate-rich foods will help prevent blood sugar spikes, like whole grains, brown rice, beans, starchy vegetables, and low sugar fruits.
When you have gestational diabetes, you can do exercise. Being active yourself is an excellent way to manage your sugar level. During pregnancy, you have to stay fit.
Average activity of at least 30 minutes per day on weekdays Like running, walking, swimming, and biking are excellent options.
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