Gestational Diabetes in Pregnancy
Gestational diabetes is normally a temporary medical condition during the last half of pregnancy that affects pregnant women and their unborn child. Doctors regularly test women around the 28th week of pregnancy to look for signs of gestational diabetes. It is estimated that 4% of all pregnant women in the United States are affected by gestational diabetes each year.
Often women who have never experienced pre-pregnancy diabetes will have gestational diabetes. While not completely understood, it is known that high blood sugar or glucose levels cause gestational diabetes. Hormones in the placenta may help block insulin in the body causing the high glucose levels.
The good news about gestational diabetes is that with proper diet and exercise, it can be treated and not harm the baby. Treatment also lowers the risk of cesarean section births that large babies often require. If left untreated, though, gestational diabetes can be potentially harmful to both the mother and child.
Untreated gestational diabetes can cause extra glucose to pass through the placenta to the baby. This results in giving the baby high blood sugar. Babies can be born with respiratory problems and this can also lead to heavier weight babies. Babies born with excess insulin from gestational diabetes can run the risk of obesity and are at risk for developing Type 2 diabetes later in life.
Gestational diabetes usually disappears after the pregnancy. However, some women may develop Type 2 diabetes later in life. Sometimes this can be prevented with lifestyle changes such as a healthier diet and regular exercise.