Gestational Diabetes Can Cause Complications During Pregnancy

During pregnancy, women take extra precautions to ensure the health of their developing baby. But even with proper care and nutrition, there is still a small chance that moms-to-be could develop gestational diabetes.

Women who do not have a history of diabetes, but have a high blood sugar levels during pregnancy, are said to have gestational diabetes, which impacts 4 percent of all pregnant women.

Certain risk factors increase a woman’s likelihood of developing gestational diabetes, such as a family history of diabetes and obesity. In most cases there are no symptoms, and if present, they are usually mild. Symptoms may include, blurred vision, frequent infections, including those of the bladder or skin, and weight loss in spite of an increased appetite.

During week 24 and week 28 of pregnancy, doctors will perform a glucose challenge screening test to test for gestational diabetes. If you’re diagnosed, the doctor will start a treatment plan to get your glucose levels under control. The plan will most likely include a specialized meal plan and regular exercise to allow your body to use glucose without extra insulin. The plan may also include daily blood glucose testing and insulin injections.

Gestational diabetes occurs when the body is unable to make and use all the insulin it needs for pregnancy. Without enough insulin, the glucose cannot leave the blood and be converted into energy, which leads to high blood sugar levels.

In this situation, the increased glucose levels are absorbed into the placenta, increasing the baby’s blood sugar level. Similar to the mother, the baby’s pancreas will now makes extra insulin to get rid of the glucose, but because the baby is getting more energy than it needs to grow and develop, the extra energy is stored as fat. The result—health problems for the unborn child, such as abnormal growth, premature delivery and breathing problems.

Be sure to speak with a doctor if you have any concerns about gestational diabetes, and while it is a cause for concern, sticking to a treatment plan is the first step to lower your high blood glucose levels and give your baby a healthy start.

This article was written by Dr. Karen Ammerman practices Obstetrics & Gynecology at Fallon Clinic in Webster. ReadyMED in Shrewsbury is run by Fallon Clinic.