Gestational Diabetes
Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that occurs during pregnancy, where the body is unable to effectively process blood sugars. This leads to elevated blood sugar levels, primarily due to the pancreas’s inability to produce insulin — the hormone responsible for regulating blood sugar levels. In response, the pancreas must secrete larger amounts of insulin to meet the needs of the developing fetus. If it fails to do so, blood sugar levels can rise, putting the mother at increased risk of developing diabetes after childbirth.
Causes of Gestational Diabetes
- Pregnant women may experience reduced tolerance to glucose due to hormonal changes during pregnancy, which can result in blood sugar levels exceeding normal limits but not reaching the threshold for diabetes. The risk of developing gestational diabetes is especially heightened during the third trimester.
- The placenta secretes hormones that inhibit insulin function, maintaining blood sugar levels within a normal range.
- As pregnancy progresses, these hormones can weaken the mother’s ability to manage glucose levels, contributing to increased blood sugar.
- The pancreas may need to produce insulin at three times its normal levels; if it cannot meet this demand, blood sugar rises.
Risk Factors for Gestational Diabetes
- Being overweight prior to pregnancy.
- Presence of sugar in the urine.
- Poor glucose tolerance.
- Genetic predisposition.
- Previous pregnancies resulting in a baby weighing over 4.5 kilograms.
- History of stillbirth.
- Previous experience with gestational diabetes.
- Having excessive amniotic fluid in prior pregnancies.
- Other contributing factors.
Symptoms of Gestational Diabetes
- Persistent thirst and a strong desire to drink water.
- Increased urination.
- Weight loss despite increased appetite.
- Fatigue and tiredness.
- Nausea accompanied by frequent vomiting.
- Recurring infections in the urinary tract, vagina, or skin.
- Blurred vision.
Diagnosis of Gestational Diabetes
- Women at higher risk of developing diabetes should undergo glucose testing in the seventh month of pregnancy.
- It is advisable to repeat the test during the eighth month, even if the results from the first test were normal.
- A glucose solution containing 50 grams of sugar dissolved in water is consumed. The body absorbs the sugar within a half-hour to an hour, after which a blood sample is taken for analysis. If the result exceeds 140 mg/dL, further diagnostic testing, conducted after fasting for at least eight hours, is necessary.
Treatment of Gestational Diabetes
- Fetal monitoring:
- Ultrasound imaging is performed to ensure the fetus’s health, evaluating the baby’s weight in the eighth month and the surrounding amniotic fluid levels.
- A fetal heart rate monitoring is done; a healthy fetal heart rate should increase by 15 to 20 beats above the normal baseline during movement.
- Blood sugar level monitoring:
- Blood sugar levels should be measured four times a day.
- Fasting blood sugar levels for pregnant women should ideally be below 105 mg/dL, and less than 130 mg/dL post-meal.
- Adhering to a balanced diet:
- Consume three main meals and two to three snacks daily.
- The total carbohydrates should account for 40 to 45% of daily caloric intake.
- Incorporate high-fiber foods, such as whole grain bread and pasta.
- Ensure fat intake is less than 40% of daily calories.
- Drink at least eight glasses of water daily.
- Carry snacks to manage blood sugar levels effectively.
- Engage in regular physical activity at least three times a week.
It is essential for pregnant women to have a light snack before engaging in any exercise to prevent a drop in blood sugar levels.
Symptoms of Low Blood Sugar
- Persistent dizziness.
- Trembling hands.
- Chronic headaches.
- Sudden hunger pangs.
- Excessive sweating.
- Severe fatigue and exhaustion.
- Poor concentration ability.
Diabetes-Related Complications
Diabetes can adversely affect the fetus throughout pregnancy. In the first trimester, it may lead to congenital anomalies affecting the heart and brain and increase the risk of miscarriage. In the third trimester, it can cause excessive fetal growth, complicating delivery and leading to a higher likelihood of cesarean sections.
Video on Gestational Diabetes Symptoms
Watch the video to learn more about the symptoms of gestational diabetes: