Gestational diabetes is one of the lesser known forms of diabetes mellitus. In fact, most women are not even aware of it, as there are a few symptoms that are normally ascribed to the various changes that occur during pregnancy. It is important to note that gestational diabetes can occur even if there is no previous history of high blood sugar.
Gestational diabetes occurs in 3-10% pregnancies and is usually revealed in diagnostic tests performed during pregnancy. There is also no known reason why blood sugar levels shoot up in some pregnant women, but it is believed that it is due to hormonal changes associated with pregnancy. Hormones produced during pregnancy are believed to increase insulin resistance, which impairs glucose tolerance. Insulin resistance is classified as diabetes mellitus type II, a condition where the body’s cells are unable to absorb glucose to derive energy.
According to its medical definition, gestational diabetes is ‘any degree of glucose intolerance with the onset or first recognition of pregnancy.’ Although associated with pregnancy, this does not rule out the possibility of prevalence of undiagnosed diabetes type II before pregnancy. The bottom line is that it can be diagnosed, but whether diabetes subsides after childbirth, it is open to doubt.
Insulin resistance normally develops in the second trimester and progresses to levels seen in non-pregnant diabetes type II patients. While insulin cannot cross the placenta, glucose can readily travel across and expose the fetus to high glucose levels leading to high insulin levels. Insulin has a growth stimulating effect and may cause excessive growth and large body. Besides problems with childbirth, when high glucose disappears after birth, the high insulin level in the baby can cause abnormally low blood sugar.
Risks of developing gestational diabetes include overweight, previous diagnosis of gestational diabetes and/or insulin resistance, family history, and pregnancy in a later age (over 35 years). Women who smoke are also at a higher risk of developing gestational diabetes.
Universal screening is advisable, because gestational diabetes may also occur in women without any demonstrable risk factors. Some women do not exhibit any symptoms, whereas others may experience increased thirst and urination, fatigue, nausea, and vomiting. Some of these are also associated with pregnancy itself, which is another reason why screening is recommended for all pregnant women.
The key factor in gestational diabetes is glucose tolerance. There may be cases of abnormal glucose tolerance testing with normal blood sugar during fasting and two hours after meals. If this is the case, then it is treatable with modification in diet, which is sufficient to bring down blood sugar levels.
However, in some women, high blood sugar during fasting and 2 hours after meals may accompany abnormal glucose tolerance testing. In this case, there may be a need of additional therapy along with diet modification.
Our diabetes guide contains detailed information about how blood sugar can be lowered in a natural way, helping to eliminate risks to the baby.
