Gestational Diabetes - Diabetes During Pregnancy

By Author: Dr Andrew Napier
Total Articles: 504
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Gestational diabetes is a commonly seen diabetic condition among pregnant women. Diabetes during pregnancy time plays a vital role in controlling offspring metabolism. When not seriously taken, gestational diabetes causes several problems during pregnancy period. It creates a negative impact on both mother and child. In most cases, this diabetic condition will go by the child's birth. But it will remain as a black mark in mother's life and there arises chance of getting type 2 diabetes or diabetes mellitus in later stages of their life. Insulin resistance phenomenon seen in gestational diabetic patients reduces the proportionality with beta cells in pancreas. Diabetes during pregnancy period induces overgrowth in fetus and makes delivery earlier than predicted time. In these cases, cesarean is opted for a secured means of delivery. If not considered, it may even lead to life threatening high blood pressure condition known as pre-eclampsia.

Earlier detection of gestational diabetes helps in preventing many of its complications. Glucose tolerance test is a major detection test done among pregnant women. This screening ...
... test is usually done during twenty fourth and twenty eighth week of pregnancy period. Comparison of glucose level before food and after food intake is done. If the test results show a glucose level higher than the normal value after food, then she should take control over her diet. This kind of diabetes comes under type A1 gestational diabetes. But in some cases, there will be abnormal glucose level in both before and after food intake.

In this case, accurate insulin dosage is given so as to regulate the blood glucose level. Urine test is also done among some pregnant women to detect the presence of gestational diabetes. Risk factor in getting gestational diabetes increases with patient's age and family history. Frequent urination, thirst and tiredness are some of the symptoms shown by gestational diabetic patients. A few of them will also be prone to frequent vomiting and eye problems.

Since fetus is taking his or her food from mother, baby will be growing in a hyperglycemic placental environment in the womb of mother. Increased action of insulin stimulates the production of growth hormones and as a result baby gets fattier leading way to macrosomia. Over weight and obesity developed due to macrosomia creates problems during pregnancy period. There arises the need of cesarean instead of normal delivery. It reduces the metabolization rate in new born babies. Low metabolic activity leads to the accumulation of fatty acids in the baby. It results in low secretion of insulin which is the master of all metabolic activities.

These babies are most likely to catch type 2 diabetes in their future life. Today, many seminars and counseling programs on gestational diabetes are conducted in hospitals. These seminar programs help in giving awareness about the disease. Make sure to possess control over food especially on foods with high carbohydrate concentration. Prepare a planned diet and make control over the body weight by doing adequate exercises. Regular check-ups and planning lifestyle accordingly helps to a great extend in managing gestational diabetes.

Read more about Diabetes Natural Treatment. Also know about Diabetes Home Remedies. Read about Diabetes Signs and Symptoms.