Gestational Diabetes
Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that develops only during pregnancy, usually between the 24th and 28th week. Gestational diabetes, or hyperglycemia, is thought to develop due to the influence of placental hormones causing insulin resistance. It usually goes away after delivery. Some women who develop gestational diabetes may have already had diabetes, but just didn't realize it until being diagnosed during pregnancy.
You are at risk for developing gestational diabetes if:
- You are over 30
- You have a family history of diabetes
- You are overweight
- You are Hispanic, African or Native American
How do you know if you have gestational diabetes? You won't know unless your doctor tests for it. There are usually no symptoms of gestational diabetes. If symptoms do appear, they can include:
- Excessive thirst
- Frequent urination
- Leg cramps
One in five women who have gestational diabetes will develop diabetes later in life. In fact, the American Diabetes Association recommends that if you've had gestational diabetes, you should have a blood test called the Glyco-Hemoglobin at every annual exam for the rest of your life.
How gestational diabetes can affect the baby/pregnancy:
- Large birth size, which can increase the length of labor and the probability of Cesarean section
- Baby may experience hypoglycemia (very low blood sugar)
- Baby likely to have severe jaundice
Risks to Moms-to-be
- Greater risk of vaginal, bladder and kidney infections
- May develop toxemia (severe form of elevated high blood pressure) that can be associated with seizures
- Diabetes may not go away
How can problems associated with gestational diabetes be avoided? The first step is to get checked! The Council on Diabetes in Pregnancy of the American Diabetes Association recommends that all pregnant women be screened for gestational diabetes. Several methods of screening exist. The most common is the 50-gram glucose screening test. The test is performed by giving 50 grams of a glucose drink (usually a cola or orange type drink) to a patient. One hour later, blood is drawn from a vein and the sugar level measured. A woman with less than 140 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dl) is presumed not to have gestational diabetes. If the blood sugar is greater than 140 mg/dl, the test is considered positive. A woman with a positive test result moves on to a formal screening for diabetes a three hour glucose tolerance test.
Remember, the best way to protect your baby and yourself from the effects of gestational diabetes is to get checked. Visit your doctor!
