OverviewGestational diabetes is diabetes diagnosed for the first time during pregnancy (gestation). Like other types of diabetes, gestational diabetes affects how your cells use sugar (glucose). Gestational diabetes causes high blood sugar that can affect your pregnancy and your baby's health. Show
While any pregnancy complication is concerning, there's good news. During pregnancy you can help control gestational diabetes by eating healthy foods, exercising and, if necessary, taking medication. Controlling blood sugar can keep you and your baby healthy and prevent a difficult delivery. If you have gestational diabetes during pregnancy, generally your blood sugar returns to its usual level soon after delivery. But if you've had gestational diabetes, you have a higher risk of getting type 2 diabetes. You'll need to be tested for changes in blood sugar more often. SymptomsMost of the time, gestational diabetes doesn't cause noticeable signs or symptoms. Increased thirst and more-frequent urination are possible symptoms. When to see a doctorIf possible, seek health care early — when you first think about trying to get pregnant — so your health care provider can check your risk of gestational diabetes along with your overall wellness. Once you're pregnant, your health care provider will check you for gestational diabetes as part of your prenatal care. If you develop gestational diabetes, you may need checkups more often. These are most likely to occur during the last three months of pregnancy, when your health care provider will monitor your blood sugar level and your baby's health. Sign up for free, and stay up to date on research advancements,
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protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. CausesResearchers don't yet know why some women get gestational diabetes and others don't. Excess weight before pregnancy often plays a role. Usually, various hormones work to keep blood sugar levels in check. But during pregnancy, hormone levels change, making it harder for the body to process blood sugar efficiently. This makes blood sugar rise. Risk factorsRisk factors for gestational diabetes include:
ComplicationsGestational diabetes that's not carefully managed can lead to high blood sugar levels. High blood sugar can cause problems for you and your baby, including an increased likelihood of needing a surgery to deliver (C-section). Complications that may affect your babyIf you have gestational diabetes, your baby may be at increased risk of:
Complications that may affect youGestational diabetes may also increase your risk of:
PreventionThere are no guarantees when it comes to preventing gestational diabetes — but the more healthy habits you can adopt before pregnancy, the better. If you've had gestational diabetes, these healthy choices may also reduce your risk of having it again in future pregnancies or developing type 2 diabetes in the future.
What complication is more likely for a newborn of a diabetic mother?The infant of a diabetic mother is at risk of transient hyperinsulinism, which prevents at birth the normal activation of metabolic pathways producing glucose and ketone bodies, and causes increased glucose consumption by tissues[17].
What are the risk factors for an infant born to a woman with diabetes during pregnancy?Diabetes during pregnancy—including type 1, type 2, or gestational diabetes—can negatively affect the health of women and their babies. For women with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, high blood sugar around the time of conception increases babies' risk of birth defects, stillbirth, and preterm birth.
Which of the following are common problems of infants with diabetic mothers?The following problems may happen to your baby after he or she is born:. Large size (macrosomia). ... . Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Low blood calcium.. Low blood iron.. High levels of red blood cells and thickened blood.. High levels of bilirubin from the breakdown of red blood cells.. Birth defects. ... . Premature birth.. Which conditions are infants of diabetic mothers at a higher risk for developing?Babies born to mothers with diabetes are at an increased risk of developing low blood sugar or hypoglycemia shortly after birth and during the first few days of life, since they are already producing an excess of insulin.
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