Gestational diabetes is a condition in which high sugar levels are detected in a pregnant women who do not have diabetes in the past. A routine test called Glucose Tolerance Test is conducted during the seventh month to detect gestational diabetes. While the reasons of occurrence may vary, gestational diabetes must be controlled. Else, it may be dangerous for the baby.

Causes

Lot of hormone changes accompany pregnancy which sometimes may resist insulin in the body. Pancreas generates insulin which is needed to absorb the glucose in the body and convert it in to energy. If the insulin generated is not sufficient or is not absorbed, it results in high glucose levels, due to which, diabetes mellitus occurs.  If non-diabetic women are diagnosed with diabetes during pregnancy, that condition is called Gestational Diabetes.

Symptoms

Normally, four to ten per cent of pregnant women get gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes is not the fault of the mother, but it is how the pregnancy hormones react to the body. Gestational diabetes can cause excessive urination, weight gain, hunger, thirst or some urinary tract infections. These symptoms are normal during earlier period in pregnancy and hence, gestational diabetes can be confirmed in the last trimester.

Tests

Gestational diabetes is diagnosed by conducting the Glucose Tolerance Test. The pregnant mother is asked to orally take a glass of glucose water at empty stomach. The sugar levels are tested at fasting, after taking the glucose water, one hour after having food, and if required after two hours. Both blood sugars and urine sugars are monitored. If the results are abnormal, then further treatment is required.

Treatment

Gestational diabetes can be treated with insulin supplements or injecting insulin in to the body. Your doctor may prescribe diet, exercise along with the medicine. Initially, taking the extra medicine may seem horrifying during pregnancy, but after a week you will get used to it. The assurance that the  baby is going to be safe with the medicine offers support during the pain of taking medicine.

Risks

If gestational diabetes is not treated, the baby may become larger making it difficult for delivery. Apart from which, other risks include that the baby may develop other abnormalities and future risks. Proper medicine, exercise and diet will help in treating gestational diabets.

Post-pregnancy

For most women, gestational diabetes vanishes after baby’s delivery, but indeed may be a watch out signal for future diabetes. Diet and simple exercise, such as walking, will help in coping up with Diabetes.

Salma Hayek and other celebrities had gestational diabetes and they do fight back in their lives. Why not we? 🙂