The onset of this type of diabetes often coincides with pregnancy and then after the child is born the blood glucose level comes back to normal. Usually there are no warning signs or specific Gestational diabetes symptoms that make a person aware of this type diabetic condition. However, prior to dealing with Gestational diabetes symptoms, let’s take a close look at what this is all about.
Gestational diabetes: Definition
Gestational diabetes is typically defined as the first onset of glucose intolerance or insulin resistance that occurs during pregnancy. Usually 4%of all pregnant women suffer from elevated blood sugar level during the weeks of the pregnancy. It is to be noted though that the actual causes for this condition to occur is yet unknown, however, it is assumed that the onset Gestational diabetes and insulin resistance occurs due to the interference of pregnancy hormones with regular insulin operations, which causes insulin resistance in the body. This simply leads to elevated blood glucose level. Many doctors recommend tests for this condition at the initial screening of pregnancy. However the onset is often seen during the 28th week in the course of pregnancy. Now, let’s take a sneak peak into the causes of Gestational diabetes.
Causes of Gestational diabetes
Usually in the course of pregnancy almost every woman suffers from elevated blood sugar levels due to hormonal changes in the body, which typically means that their blood glucose level is elevated and more than normal during their pregnancy, although not threatening to cause diabetes. It is only in the later part of the pregnancy, usually the third trimester that a woman is highly at risk of developing Gestational diabetes due to these hormonal changes.
During pregnancy there are certain hormones that are made in the placenta, which supplies nutrients from the mother to the unborn child. Some other hormones are also produced by placenta, to prevent the mother getting low blood sugar level. These hormones simply function by stopping the regular operations of insulin. However, over the intended course of pregnancy these hormones end up creating high glucose intolerance, and as a result of that, the body starts to produce more insulin to reduce elevated blood sugar level and works harder to get the glucose to different body cells in order to produce energy.
Usually a pregnant woman’s pancreas is able to produce more insulin, (three times more than the normal amount) to help the body fight of the elevated blood glucose levels and reduce the effects produced by hormonal changes. However, if somehow the body fails to produce sufficient amount of insulin needed to fight off the changes, the result will be elevated blood glucose level and in the end Gestational diabetes. However, if you have diabetes in the family you are most likely to inherit diabetes during pregnancy. Some other causes may also, include, pregnancy way after 25 years, having high blood pressure, having to much of the amniotic fluid etc. Now let’s look into what are signs or Gestational diabetes symptoms that help in the detection of this condition in pregnant women.
Gestational diabetes symptoms
Usually there are no such warning signs or Gestational diabetes symptoms to be precise. Even if there are Gestational diabetes symptoms they are usually very mild and do not pose any threat to the mother or the child. It is often seen that after the delivery the blood glucose level is reduced to the normal level. However, there are some symptoms that you may take into account as that of Gestational diabetes, which may include:
- Extreme thirst
- Blurred vision
- Frequent urination
- Frequent infection of bladder, skin and vagina
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Weight loss despite the fact that appetite has been increased
Complications
Though the glucose level tends to be normal after the delivery, but if the mother has diabetes then the baby can be affected in more ways than one. At early stages of the pregnancy the mother may have miscarriage or the child can be born with birth defects. Some of the major defects may include underdevelopment of the brain and heart along with other major organs. It can also lead to over nutrition and excessive growth of the baby as well. This simply increases the risks of labor and delivery of the baby and it is often found that larger babies require caesarean operations and if they are delivered in the normal way they are often prone to having shock to their shoulders. Which is why, if you experience any of the above mentioned Gestational diabetes symptoms, you should immediately consult with your health care provider in order to receive proper treatment. You may even have undergo some tests like glucose intolerance tests to confirm you condition.
Conclusion
However, one must remember that if taken care properly, a woman can deliver a perfectly healthy baby even if she has Gestational diabetes. All you have to do is get yourself checked up with your health care provider and take care of your diet and health during pregnancy.
