Symptoms
About 50% of women with gestational diabetes go on to develop type 2 diabetes, but there are steps you can take to prevent it. Talk to your doctor about how to lower your risk and how often to have your blood sugar checked to make sure you’re on track. Gestational diabetes typically doesn’t have any symptoms.
Causes
Introduction Treatment of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) aims to reduce hyperglycaemia and in turn reduce the risk of adverse perinatal outcomes including large for gestational age (LGA), macrosomia, shoulder dystocia, neonatal hypoglycaemia and the need for caesarean section.
Prevention
If you have gestational diabetes, your baby is at higher risk of: Gestational diabetes usually goes away after your baby is born. However, about 50% of women with gestational diabetes go on to develop type 2 diabetes. You can lower your risk by reaching a healthy body weight after delivery.
Complications
If you're testing your blood glucose, the American Diabetes Association suggests the following targets for women who develop gestational diabetes during pregnancy. More or less stringent glycemic goals may be appropriate for each individual. Before a meal (preprandial): 95 mg/dl or less; One hour after a meal (postprandial): 140 mg/dl or less
Can gestational diabetes be prevented?
What is the treatment for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM)?
What happens if you have gestational diabetes?
What are the best targets for gestational diabetes during pregnancy?
How can you reduce the risk of gestational diabetes?
Before you get pregnant, you may be able to prevent gestational diabetes by losing weight if you're overweight and getting regular physical activity. Don't try to lose weight if you're already pregnant. You'll need to gain some weight—but not too quickly—for your baby to be healthy.
What does gestational diabetes increase risk of?
Gestational diabetes raises your risk of high blood pressure, as well as preeclampsia — a serious complication of pregnancy that causes high blood pressure and other symptoms that can threaten both your life and your baby's life. Having a surgical delivery (C-section).
What is the primary treatment goal for the patient with gestational diabetes to decrease the incidence of congenital anomalies?
The commonly accepted treatment goal is to maintain a fasting capillary blood glucose level of less than 95 to 105 mg per dL (5.3 to 5.8 mmol per L); the ambiguity (i.e., the range) is due to imperfect data.
Why is control of gestational diabetes important?
Because the placenta causes insulin resistance, when it's gone, gestational diabetes usually goes away, too. If you have gestational diabetes, you are at higherthannormal risk for developing type 2 diabetes later in your life.
How can you prevent preeclampsia?
How can I prevent preeclampsia:Use little or no added salt in your meals.Drink 6-8 glasses of water a day.Avoid fried foods and junk food.Get enough rest.Exercise regularly.Elevate your feet several times during the day.Avoid drinking alcohol.Avoid beverages containing caffeine.More items...
Why does gestational diabetes increase risk of type 2 diabetes?
Women diagnosed with GDM in early pregnancy, before insulin resistance begins to rise[62,63], are likely to have a greater degree of hyperglycaemia, and therefore an increased likelihood of progression to abnormal glucose tolerance/diabetes.
What are maternal and neonatal risks associated with gestational diabetes mellitus?
GDM is associated with an increased risk of complications for both the mother and the child. The rate of preeclampsia and cesarean section is increased in the mother and the risk of macrosomia is increased in the newborn.
What adverse outcomes are associated with GDM in the infant?
GDM may cause adverse pregnancy outcomes including miscarriage, premature delivery, intrauterine distress, fetal malformation, intrauterine death, intrauterine infection, macrosomia and hypertension during pregnancy, preeclampsia and polyhydramnios (7).
How does gestational diabetes cause respiratory distress syndrome?
Abstract. The increased incidence of the idiopathic respiratory distress syndrome (IRDS) in infants of diabetic mothers may be explained by preterm delivery and asphyxia but the metabolic derangement per se may also be responsible for the inadequate production of surfactant.
Why does gestational diabetes cause preterm labor?
“If blood glucose isn't well controlled, a baby can grow bigger and be surrounded by extra fluid. This stretches the uterus and makes the body thinks it's farther along than it actually is, causing preterm labor.” The good news is gestational diabetes can often be controlled by health and lifestyle changes.
How does pregnancy affect insulin sensitivity and what effect does this have on the baby?
This problem occurs if the mother's blood glucose levels have been high for a long time. This leads to a lot of insulin in the baby's blood. After delivery, the baby continues to have a high insulin level, but no longer has the glucose from the mother. This causes the newborn's blood glucose level to get very low.
What is the best way to manage gestational diabetes?
Treatment for gestational diabetes aims to keep blood glucose levels equal to those of pregnant women who don't have gestational diabetes. The treatment always includes special meal plans and scheduled physical activity, and it may also include daily blood glucose testing and insulin injections.
Why is it important to be tested for gestational diabetes?
It’s important to be tested for gestational diabetes so you can begin treatment to protect your health and your baby’s health.
What Causes Gestational Diabetes?
Gestational diabetes occurs when your body can’t make enough insulin during your pregnancy. Insulin is a hormone made by your pancreas that acts like a key to let blood sugar into the cells in your body for use as energy.
How to get rid of diabetes?
Eating healthy food in the right amounts at the right times. Follow a healthy eating plan created by your doctor or dietitian. Being active. Regular physical activity that’s moderately intense (such as brisk walking) lowers your blood sugar and makes you more sensitive to insulin so your body won’t need as much.
How many women with gestational diabetes have type 2 diabetes?
About 50% of women with gestational diabetes go on to develop type 2 diabetes, but there are steps you can take to prevent it. Talk to your doctor about how to lower your risk and how often to have your blood sugar checked to make sure you’re on track.
When does blood sugar go back to normal after birth?
Your blood sugar levels will usually return to normal after your baby is born. However, about 50% of women with gestational diabetes go on to develop type 2 diabetes. You can lower your risk by reaching a healthy body weight after delivery. Visit your doctor to have your blood sugar tested 6 to 12 weeks after your baby is born ...
What to do if your baby is not eating enough?
If healthy eating and being active aren’t enough to manage your blood sugar, your doctor may prescribe insulin, metformin, or other medication.
What happens to your body during pregnancy?
During pregnancy, your body makes more hormones and goes through other changes, such as weight gain. These changes cause your body’s cells to use insulin less effectively, a condition called insulin resistance. Insulin resistance increases your body’s need for insulin.
How to treat gestational diabetes?
Treatment. Treatment for gestational diabetes includes: Lifestyle changes. Blood sugar monitoring. Medication, if necessary. Managing your blood sugar levels helps keep you and your baby healthy. Close management can also help you avoid complications during pregnancy and delivery.
What to do when you have a gestational diabetes appointment?
What you can do. Be aware of pre-appointment restrictions. When you make your appointment, ask if you need to fast for lab tests or do anything else to prepare for diagnostic tests. Write down symptoms you're having, including those that may seem unrelated to gestational diabetes.
How often should gestational diabetes be checked?
This test is similar to the initial test — except the sweet solution will have even more sugar and your blood sugar will be checked every hour for three hours. If at least two of the blood sugar readings are higher than expected, you'll be diagnosed with gestational diabetes.
What to do if your diabetes test indicates type 2 diabetes?
If future tests indicate type 2 diabetes or prediabetes, talk with your doctor about increasing your prevention efforts or starting a diabetes management plan.
How to help a baby with diabetes?
But the steps that will help control your blood sugar level — such as eating healthy foods and exercising regularly — can help relieve stress , nourish your baby and help prevent type 2 diabetes in the future.
How to keep blood sugar levels in a healthy range?
Lifestyle changes. Your lifestyle — how you eat and move — is an important part of keeping your blood sugar levels in a healthy range. Doctors don't advise losing weight during pregnancy — your body is working hard to support your growing baby.
How to help a pregnant woman with back pain?
Regular physical activity plays a key role in every woman's wellness plan before, during and after pregnancy. Exercise lowers your blood sugar, and as an added bonus, regular exercise can help relieve some common discomforts of pregnancy, including back pain, muscle cramps, swelling, constipation and trouble sleeping.
How to reduce the risk of gestational diabetes?
One large study looked at diets of women before they got pregnant. Each daily increase in fiber by 10 grams reduced their risk of gestational diabetes by 26%. In addition to what you eat, taking fiber supplements may be helpful ...
Why does blood sugar rise during pregnancy?
When you're pregnant, your cells become slightly more resistant to insulin. This causes the amount of glucose or sugar in your blood to rise. The extra sugar helps make more nutrients available to your baby. But if your cells become too resistant and the glucose can't into them, your blood sugar level becomes too high.
How to keep blood glucose levels in range?
Diet. Your doctor or a nutritionist can help you choose foods that may keep your blood glucose within a healthy range. They can also teach you about ideal portions and meal timing. In general, limit sweets and track how many carbohydrate-rich foods you eat. Include fiber in your meals.
How to keep glucose levels healthy?
Activity. Getting regular exercise, if your condition allows it, can help keep your glucose levels healthy. Walking and swimming are good choices. In one study, researchers found that women who were physically active before and during their pregnancy -- about 4 hours a week -- lowered their risk of gestational diabetes by about 70% or even more.
What to do after a baby is born?
After your baby is born, follow the same healthy diet and exercise plan. Getting back to a healthy weight will also lower your risk. But you don't have to worry about fitting into your "skinny jeans" again right away.
Can you get diabetes after delivery?
It depends upon your overall health . After Delivery. Some of the same risk factors that put you in danger of getting gestational diabetes also make you more likely to develop type 2 diabetes later in life. And if you have gestational diabetes, your risk of type 2 diabetes after your pregnancy rises.
Diagnosis
Treatment
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Coping and Support
Preparing For Your Appointment