Gestational Diabetes: What You Need To Know.
Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that affects pregnant women. It can be diagnosed at any point during the mother’s pregnancy, and it usually goes away after the baby is born. Gestational diabetes can cause serious health concerns for moms and their children. The mother may give birth to a larger than normal baby, or she may develop preeclampsia (a condition characterized by high blood pressure and damage to other organs). Babies with gestational diabetes are more likely to be obese as children and teens. They also have an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease. So what do you need to know about gestational diabetes? Read on to find out!
What is Gestational Diabetes?
Gestational diabetes occurs when your body can’t produce enough insulin to regulate glucose levels. It is one of the most common medical conditions during pregnancy, affecting around 5-7% of all pregnant women.
When you are pregnant, your body needs more energy to provide for the baby’s growth and development. If you have gestational diabetes, your pancreas is unable to make enough insulin to use the glucose in your blood as fuel for both you and the baby.
Expectant mothers with gestational diabetes need to take extra care of themselves by eating healthy foods and getting plenty of exercise. They need to monitor their blood sugar levels closely throughout their pregnancy.
What are the long-term health effects?
Pregnant women with gestational diabetes are more likely to develop preeclampsia and deliver a larger than normal baby. They may also experience an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease in later life. Gestational diabetes can also lead to preterm labor and birth, which increases the risk of complications for the mother and the baby.
Gestational diabetes is associated with an increased risk of obesity in children and teens. Children with gestational diabetes may be at increased risk for high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke.
Parents should discuss these potential risks with their healthcare providers and monitor their child's weight and activity levels as they grow into adulthood.
How do you know if you have Gestational Diabetes?
There are a number of factors that can indicate gestational diabetes. Some mothers may have symptoms such as excessive thirst, unexplained weight loss or frequent urination. Others may not experience any symptoms at all.
The only way to know if you have gestational diabetes is to be screened by your doctor. Gestational diabetes can be diagnosed through a urine test, measuring the level of glucose in the blood, and an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). The OGTT requires fasting for 8 hours before giving a sample of blood plasma after drinking a sugary drink.
Gestational diabetes doesn't usually affect your health or your baby's health unless you develop preeclampsia or give birth to an oversized baby.
Treatment for Gestational Diabetes
Diabetes is a condition that affects your body's ability to produce or use insulin. Gestational diabetes can be treated by diet alone. Babies of women with gestational diabetes will not need to take drugs or insulin for the condition, but they may need extra growth monitoring during their first year of life.
Women who are diagnosed with gestational diabetes should meet regularly with a doctor and get tested every three months after giving birth. If the woman does not get treatment for her gestational diabetes, there is an increased risk that she may develop type 2 diabetes by the time she reaches menopause, which could lead to complications like heart disease and blindness.
How common is Gestational Diabetes?
Gestational diabetes affects about 10% of all women during their pregnancies. Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that can affect pregnant women, and the risk of developing gestational diabetes is greater for African-Americans, Hispanics, Asian-Americans, and Native Americans.
Gestational diabetes usually goes away after the baby is born, but it can cause serious health problems for moms and their children. It's important to go see a doctor if you think you may have gestational diabetes.
What can you do to control your Gestational Diabetes?
There are many ways to control gestational diabetes. First, diet is important. You need to limit your daily carbohydrate intake to about 45-50 grams per meal. You should also eat more fiber and protein in order to manage blood sugar levels.
Second, you can do everything you can to maintain a healthy weight during your pregnancy. Exercising regularly and maintaining a healthy diet will help reduce the risk of gestational diabetes.
Finally, if you start experiencing any symptoms of preeclampsia or gestational diabetes, be sure to contact your doctor immediately!
Conclusion
Gestational diabetes is a temporary condition that affects women during pregnancy. The condition usually goes away after pregnancy. Gestational diabetes can cause serious health problems for both mother and child. If you are pregnant, it's important to know the warning signs of gestational diabetes to avoid long-term health problems.