Are you a mother-to-be? Then you must have heard the name ' gestational diabetes '. Perhaps your doctor has told you about it. It is very normal to feel a little scared and nervous when you hear this name. Questions like "Will I also get diabetes ?", "Will something happen to the baby?" must come to mind. But do not be afraid. If we are aware of this condition, we can control it very well and bring a healthy, beautiful baby into this world. So today, let's talk about what gestational diabetes is and why it develops.
Baby's due date (EDD)
Calculate the due date based on the last menstrual period
Pregnancy and how blood sugar rises
First, let's look at how the normal process of controlling sugar in our body works. It's very simple. When we eat food, especially foods that contain carbohydrates ( starch ) like rice, bread, and potatoes, our body digests it and turns it into a simple sugar called glucose. This glucose is added to our blood. Every cell in the body gets its energy from this glucose.
But to get the glucose in the blood into the cells, you need a 'key'. That key is insulin . Insulin is a hormone produced by our pancreas. Insulin takes the glucose in the blood and delivers it to the cells, controlling blood sugar levels.
Now let's look at what happens during pregnancy. When you get pregnant, the baby gets all the nutrition and oxygen it needs from an organ called the placenta . This is like the baby's 'supply line'. The placenta produces several types of hormones to help the baby grow. This is a very good thing. However, some of these hormones interfere with the function of insulin in your body. It's like the 'key' we mentioned (insulin) is a little bit obstructed from working. We medically call this condition insulin resistance .
Because of this insulin resistance, your pancreas has to work harder than usual to keep your blood sugar levels normal, producing about three times more insulin than usual. Most pregnant women's bodies can handle this challenge. But sometimes, the pancreas can't make enough insulin. That's when your blood sugar levels rise, causing a condition called gestational diabetes.
Simply put, gestational diabetes is not a disease that is caused by your own fault. It is a temporary condition that occurs when the body cannot properly adjust to the hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy.
Who is at higher risk for this condition?
Although anyone can develop gestational diabetes, some people are more prone to it. Let's take a look at what these risk factors are. Don't panic when you see these, not everyone who has them will develop diabetes. It's important to be aware of these so that you can get tested early and take action quickly if necessary.
| Risk Factor | A simple explanation |
|---|---|
| Overweight before pregnancy | Insulin resistance naturally increases as body weight increases, so it can become even more severe during pregnancy. |
| Rapid weight gain during pregnancy | Gaining weight faster than recommended can also affect insulin action. |
| Family history of diabetes | If a close relative, such as your mother, father, or siblings, has Type 2 Diabetes, you may also have a genetic predisposition. |
| Prediabetes | This is a condition where the sugar level is not high enough to be called diabetes, but is slightly higher than normal. A person with this condition is at higher risk of developing diabetes during pregnancy. |
| Having diabetes in a previous pregnancy | If you had this condition during a previous pregnancy, you are more likely to have it again in your next pregnancy. |
| Over 25 years of age | As you get older, the risk of this condition increases slightly. |
| Having a baby weighing more than 9 pounds (4 kilograms) before | This suggests that your blood sugar levels may have been elevated to an undetectable level during previous pregnancies. |
| Having PCOS | Women with a condition called Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) may have insulin resistance from the start. |
Well, what do we do now?
If you're worried about these risk factors, put them aside. The most important thing is to talk openly about this with your doctor.
Gestational diabetes usually occurs in the early third trimester of pregnancy. That is, between weeks 24-28. Every pregnant mother in Sri Lanka undergoes a sugar test during this period. What is done is, you are given a sugary drink and then your blood sugar level is checked one hour later. This is called the OGTT (Oral Glucose Tolerance Test) .
However, if you have one or more of the risk factors mentioned above, your doctor may recommend this test in the first trimester of pregnancy.
What happens according to the results?
If your test results show that you have gestational diabetes, there is no reason to panic. The most important thing is to follow the instructions given by your doctor and nutritionist exactly.
First try the following as treatment:
- Diet: You will be given a suitable, low-sugar, balanced diet. You may be asked to eat 5-6 small meals a day, rather than 3 main meals.
- Exercise: Simple daily exercises, such as walking, can help improve insulin function. However, you should consult your doctor before starting any exercise regimen.
In most cases, you can control your blood sugar levels well with this diet and exercise. Only if you can't control it that way, will your doctor start you on insulin injections or maybe pills. This is only until the baby is born.
Remember, if you control your blood sugar levels well, you can greatly reduce the risk of your baby growing too big, developing diabetes, and developing other health problems. With your dedication, both you and your baby can stay healthy.
💡 Take-Home Message
- Gestational diabetes is a temporary condition that occurs only during pregnancy. It often goes away after the baby is born.
- This is not your fault, but because hormonal changes during pregnancy prevent insulin from working properly.
- This condition can be very well controlled by following your doctor's instructions (diet, exercise, and medication if necessary) exactly.
- Don't skip your regular blood sugar tests. It's very important for the safety of both you and your baby.
- With good management, you have every chance of delivering a healthy baby without any complications. So don't worry.
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