Gestational Diabetes

Gestational diabetes is one of the most common complications that occur to a woman during her pregnancy. Just like all other forms of diabetes, gestational diabetes occurs due to high sugar level in blood.

The exact reason for the cause of gestational diabetes is not known. But there is reason to believe that the hormones secreted by the placenta (these hormones help in the development of the baby) which supports the baby as it grows may block the action of insulin in the mother's body. The mother may sometimes need up to three times the normal insulin. When enough insulin is not produced or if the produced insulin is not being used effectively, the sugar level in blood rises and is known as hyperglycemia.

The different types of gestational diabetes are:

1. Type A1 where the sugar level in blood can be controlled by diet modifications.

2. Type A2 where external medication is required to control the high sugar level.

3. Type B where diabetes started less than 10 years before pregnancy.

4. Type C where diabetes started 1 to 19 years before pregnancy.

5. Type D where diabetes started greater than 20 years before pregnancy.

6. Type F which is also known as diabetic nephropathy.

7. Type R which is also known as diabetic retinopathy.

8. Type H where the person has a ischemic heart disease.

9. Type T where the person needs a kidney transplant.

Both type A1 and A2 are types of gestational diabetes where diabetes started only during pregnancy.

The risk factors for a woman are:

a) If she has a family history of Type 2 diabetes.

b) The older she is the greater the risk.

c) African-Americans, North American native peoples and Hispanics have a greater risk factor over others.

d) Obesity.

e) If she had developed gestational diabetes in her previous pregnancy.

f) Smoking doubles the risk of getting gestational diabetes.

Women suffering from gestational diabetes generally do not show any symptoms, but some possible symptoms are increased thirst, increased urination, fatigue, nausea and vomiting, bladder, skin and yeast infection, and blurred vision, wight loss inspite of increased appetite.

Gestational diabetes generally occurs in later stages of pregnancy where the baby's body has formed and is developing further. Though there may be no affect on the developing child, poorly controlled gestational diabetes can harm the baby. If the high sugar level in blood is not controlled properly then, the blood passing through the placenta would deliver extra glucose to the baby. Due to this the baby's pancreas is forced to produce more insulin to consume the extra glucose in blood. Extra glucose means that the baby is getting more energy than required. So the extra energy would be stored as fat which results in the birth of a fat baby.

So if you feel you are suffering from gestational diabetes or if you are diagnosed with gestational diabetes take proper care so that you and your baby are safe.