Gestational Diabetes
Some women develop diabetes while they are pregnant, generally in the second half of pregnancy. This form of diabetes, called gestational diabetes, usually goes away after the baby is born. (Diabetes occurs when the body can't make energy from food and sugar stays in the blood instead of going into the cells.) Two to five percent of pregnant women develop gestational diabetes.
People with diabetes either do not make enough insulin or their body cannot utilize it properly. It is extremely important to control diabetes, including during pregnancy.
Causes:
Gestational diabetes is caused by the hormones made by the placenta. These hormones may change the way insulin works.
The following are risk factors for developing gestational diabetes:
- Having delivered an unexplained stillborn baby or previous baby weighing more than than 9 pounds.
- Having family members with diabetes.
- Having high blood pressure or gaining too much weight during pregnancy.
- Being 30+ years of age or being overweight.
Signs and Symptoms:
These include fatigue, blurred vision, excessive thirst or hunger, or the need to urinate often. Other signs include too much fluid around the baby, gaining too much weight during pregnancy, and frequent yeast infections.
Caring for gestational diabetes:
You may need to be very careful about the foods you eat during your pregnancy. Sometimes, insulin and/or exercise may be needed to treat gestational diabetes. You may need to check your blood sugar, give yourself insulin shots or be admitted to the hospital for education, tests and treatment.
Complications:
Possible problems complicated by gestational diabetes include a higher incidence of bladder infections, high blood pressure, a large baby (more than 9 lbs.) and birth defects.
