Gestational Diabetes

Gestational diabetes is a form of diabetes that builds up only in pregnancy. Similar to other diabetes types, it affects the level of sugar in the blood. Patients suffering from this condition have very high glucose levels in their blood. Expectant women should produce more insulin that other women. This is because the hormones from the placenta make the body less responsive to insulin. If the body can not meet the extra demand, then the level of sugar in the blood rises and that might be the root cause of gestational diabetes. Nevertheless, due to hormonal changes that occur in the body during pregnancy some women develop resistance to insulin.

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Occurrence

Gestational diabetes escalates the sugar levels in the blood which affects a womans pregnancy and the health of the baby. If the condition is not managed, the sugar level rises in the blood and crosses the placenta to the baby. This makes the baby grow bigger than normal, which could result in complications during childbirth. The condition also escalates the glucose levels in the blood. Nevertheless, high glucose levels in the blood are bad for the health of the mother and the baby. Gestational diabetes is primarily detected in the late pregnancy. It is a common form of diabetes affects one out of every six women. Fortunately, the condition does not last forever but disappears after the child is born.

Risk Factors

There are several risk factors for gestational diabetes. Although any woman can attain gestational diabetes, some women are at a higher risk than others. There is a high chance of getting gestational diabetes if one is overweight. In such a case, the body mass index (BMI) of a patient must be thirty and above. Because of the extra weight, it becomes hard for the body to use the insulin in the blood. Family health history is also another risk factor for attaining gestational diabetes. If a close family member has diabetes type 2, then there is a risk of a woman developing gestational diabetes.

One might also develop gestational diabetes if she had it during the previous pregnancies, if she delivered a baby weighing more than nine pounds or if she had a stillbirth that could not be explained. Another risk factor for gestational diabetes is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Women with PCOS miss ovulation and fail to release their ovules. As a result, they become prone to gestational diabetes, disease of the heart, uterine cancer and blood pressure. Family origin is also a contributing factor to gestational diabetes. Past research has indicated that families from South Asia, Middle East or Black Caribbean are at a higher risk of developing gestational diabetes.

Treatment

Gestational diabetes is treated by ensuring the blood sugar level is in the ideal range. It is important to check and manage the blood sugar levels to protect the health of the unborn baby and also to ensure a safe gestation period and delivery. Gestational diabetes is treated by having a healthy diet, taking the right portion of foods and avoiding gaining of excessive weight. A recommended diet focuses on vegetables, fruits, and whole grains foods which are highly nutritious, with less fat and with low calories. The right diet can vary depending on varying women. For this reason, it is advisable to consult a dietitian.

Exercise is an efficient strategy for controlling gestational diabetes. Exercise stimulates the body to move glucose into the body cells where it is converted to energy hence lowering the blood sugar levels. Through exercises, the sensitivity of cells to insulin is also increased. As a result, less insulin is produced by the body to transport sugar. For extreme cases where exercise and diet are not adequate, having an insulin injection can be essential aimed at lowering the level of sugar in the blood. About ten to twenty percent of those with gestational diabetes require insulin to attain the desired blood sugar level. Some doctors prescribe an oral medication to the control blood sugar levels.

Nevertheless, there are have been medical suggestions in the past suggests that research should be done to confirm the safety and effectiveness of oral drugs in controlling gestational diabetes. Eating regularly is another way of treating gestational diabetes. Pregnant women should ensure that they take all meals in a day without skipping. Such persons should also eat a balanced diet regularly, and mostly consume sufficient starchy carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are absorbed slowly in the blood which stabilizes the glucose level in the blood. Some of the carbohydrates that are highly recommended include rice, pasta or basmati among others. Also, sweet potatoes, yam, porridge oats, pumpernickel are also essential sources of carbohydrates.

It is imperative to regulate the level of sugar in the blood. A blood glucose meter is used to test the level of sugar in the body. This should be done four to five times in a day. Having a blood sugar follow-up checks are important since it reduces the risk of developing diabetes type 2 during pregnancy. A fetus must also be monitored closely when being carried by a woman suffering from this condition. Other tests and ultrasounds are carried out to avoid complications to the mother and the baby. Most women with gestational diabetes deliver their babies normally. However, some doctors will prefer the baby to be delivered before the due date. A cesarean section is recommended if the baby grows bigger than use because of this condition. The risk of complications during delivery is high to the mother and the baby if delivery is done after the due date.

Prevention

This form of diabetes cannot be prevented in some women. However, one can lower the chances of acquiring the condition by ensuring that the weight is controlled before pregnancy. It is important to lose excessive weight before pregnancy. Gestational diabetes complications can be prevented by controlling the level of sugar in the blood. An obstetrician should closely monitor a pregnant woman during her gestation period. Regular exercise before and during pregnancy reduces the risk of developing gestational diabetes. The persons who have previously suffered from gestational diabetes should avoid insulin resistant medicines such as glucocorticoid medicines and nicotinic acid. Gestational diabetes can also be prevented by having well-balanced diets with a high fiber content. Foods that are low in fat and calories are also highly recommended since they both control the blood sugar levels and are nutritious to the mother and the baby.

Conclusion

In conclusion, gestational diabetes is that type of diabetes that occurs during pregnancy. When one is expectant, extra insulin is made by the body especially during late pregnancy. Extra insulin is needed because the body is rendered less responsive to it by the hormones contained in the placenta. Consequently, failure by the body to meet the extra insulin demand will lead to rising in the blood sugar increasing the probability of attaining gestational diabetes. After pregnancy, gestational diabetes disappears. Nevertheless, women with gestational diabetes are at an elevated risk of acquiring type 2 diabetes in future. Therefore, it is remarkably important for such women to maintain a healthy lifestyle even after their delivery.