Oh, you're probably scared now that this has happened to me too, right? Many mothers get diabetes like this during pregnancy. It's normal. So don't worry. Let's learn more about this condition called `(Gestational Diabetes)`.
What is gestational diabetes?
Simply put, Gestational Diabetes (sometimes called GD or GDM) is a type of diabetes that only occurs during pregnancy. Your blood sugar levels (also called hyperglycemia) increase slightly during this time. This is because hormones from your placenta interfere with your body's ability to use or produce a hormone called insulin. Insulin is what helps regulate your blood sugar levels. High blood sugar can lead to complications during pregnancy. It usually occurs in the middle of pregnancy, between 24 and 28 weeks. Your doctor or midwife will do a blood test to check for this.
The important thing to remember is that this does not mean that you had diabetes before you became pregnant. This is a condition that occurs during pregnancy. People who have pre-existing diabetes, whether it's Type 1 Diabetes or Type 2 Diabetes, face unique challenges when they become pregnant.
But there is good news! Doctors have a good understanding of this `(Gestational Diabetes)`. Also, by making small changes to your lifestyle and controlling your diet, this condition can be well controlled. Most people have a healthy baby without any serious complications.
What happens if I develop gestational diabetes?
If you are diagnosed with gestational diabetes, your obstetrician (the doctor who sees you while you are expecting) will refer you to a nutritionist who specializes in gestational diabetes. They will explain to you what foods raise your blood sugar levels and what and how much you should include in your meals and snacks.
You will also be taught how to check your blood sugar levels at home and how much to eat after meals. Finally, your doctor or dietitian will discuss a management plan for your gestational diabetes. People with diabetes usually have to go to the clinic regularly to check fetal growth, monitor your weight gain, and discuss how your blood sugar is being controlled.
What is the prevalence of gestational diabetes in Sri Lanka and the world?
In the United States, this condition is on the rise. According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), it affects between 8% and 10% of pregnant women.
The global average is between 14% and 17%. This number can sometimes be higher due to factors such as age, race/ethnicity, access to prenatal care, and location.
Why does gestational diabetes occur?
The main reason for this is hormonal changes and the way your body converts food into energy. Think about it this way, the hormone ``Insulin`` helps the sugar (``glucose``) in the food we eat get into our cells. This ``Insulin`` is what keeps our blood sugar levels at a healthy level. However, if this ``Insulin`` doesn't work properly, or if there isn't enough of it, sugar builds up in the blood and diabetes develops.
During pregnancy, hormones from the placenta can interfere with the way insulin works. This can cause blood sugar levels to become poorly controlled. This is when Gestational Diabetes develops.
Who is at higher risk of developing gestational diabetes?
In fact, anyone can develop this during pregnancy. However, there are certain factors that increase the risk. These are:
- If you have heart disease.
- If you have high blood pressure.
- If you have been overweight or obese since before pregnancy.
- If you have had gestational diabetes during a previous pregnancy.
- If someone in the family has `(Type 2 Diabetes)`.
- If you have `(Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS))` .
- People over the age of 25 are at higher risk, especially those of South and East Asian, Hispanic, Native American, or Pacific Islander descent.
- If you have prediabetes (blood sugar levels that are slightly higher than normal before developing diabetes).
What are the symptoms of gestational diabetes?
Most of the time, Gestational Diabetes doesn't have any obvious symptoms. Even if it does, it's very subtle. You may not even notice it until your doctor examines you. However, if symptoms do occur, they may include:
- The need to urinate frequently.
- Getting very thirsty.
- Feeling tired.
- Feeling nauseous.
What are the possible complications of uncontrolled gestational diabetes?
If you can't keep your blood sugar levels at a healthy level, both you and your baby can have complications. This is very important, so listen carefully.
Gestational Diabetes can increase your risk of:
- A C-section may be necessary (if the baby is too large).
- Preeclampsia (high blood pressure during pregnancy) may develop.
Also, those who have had ``Gestational Diabetes'' are slightly more likely to develop ``Type 2 Diabetes'' later in life.
How does gestational diabetes affect my baby?
If you have Gestational Diabetes, your baby may be at risk for:
- Increased birth weight (`(Fetal macrosomia)`) - This means that the baby may be born quite large.
- Breathing difficulties may occur at birth.
- Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). This can cause conditions like seizures in newborns.
- Obesity may occur later.
- It is possible to be born prematurely.
- Type 2 Diabetes may develop later.
These things may sound scary. But remember, all these risks only come if they are not properly managed . If they are properly managed, these risks can be greatly reduced.
When does a doctor test for gestational diabetes?
Your doctor or midwife will usually test you for gestational diabetes between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy. Most doctors believe this is the time when the results are most accurate. However, if you have risk factors, you may be tested earlier.
How is gestational diabetes diagnosed?
A doctor will check your blood sugar levels with a blood test. Often, the first test is a ``screening test`` to find people who are at higher risk of having ``gestational diabetes``. If you don't ``pass``, the doctor will ask you to do a second blood test that looks a little deeper.
- `(Glucose Challenge Test)` : This is also called `(Glucose Screening Test)`, or the one-hour `(Glucose Tolerance Test)`. In this, you are given a sweet liquid to drink. Then you have to stay in the `waiting room` for about an hour. After an hour, a nurse takes a blood sample from your arm. If your blood sugar level is high, the doctor will ask you to do a `(Glucose Tolerance Test)`.
- `(Glucose Tolerance Test)` : This is also called a two-hour or three-hour `(Glucose Test)`. This is only done if the results of the previous `challenge test` are abnormal. Before this test, you must not eat anything for about 8 hours (`fasting`). The doctor will take blood samples every hour, two hours, or sometimes three hours after you drink the sweet liquid. This `tolerance test` is the one that will confirm whether you have `(Gestational Diabetes)` or not.
How to manage gestational diabetes?
If you have gestational diabetes, you will need to have regular checkups during your pregnancy. Your doctor will specifically look for:
- Monitoring the baby's growth. This usually involves doing a few extra ultrasound scans to make sure the baby isn't getting too big.
- Checking your blood sugar levels. This often involves checking how often your blood sugar levels go up and down, and how those levels usually stay.
To check your blood sugar level at home, you will need a ``Glucose Meter`` (a device that measures sugar). It requires a meter, lancets, and test strips. When you check your blood sugar, you prick your fingertip with a small needle, then put the drop of blood on a test strip. Then, when you put the test strip into the meter, it shows a number in a few seconds. That is your blood sugar level. Your dietitian or diabetes educator will show you how to use this device. It may feel a little difficult for the first few days, but after a few days, you will get used to it. Don't be afraid to ask your doctor if you have any problems.
You should keep a record of what you eat and your blood sugar levels, either on a piece of paper, in an app, or in a way that your doctor tells you to. Then, your doctor will review your readings at regular intervals (perhaps every week or every two weeks). Sometimes, your doctor may need to make changes to your diet (for example, reducing the amount of carbohydrates) to help control your blood sugar levels. In most cases, monitoring your blood sugar levels and eating a diet that is appropriate for diabetes is all that is needed to manage gestational diabetes.
Some people need medicine like insulin to control their gestational diabetes. This usually involves injecting insulin into the abdomen, thigh, or buttocks once or several times a day. How often you need to inject insulin depends on many things. Your doctor will tell you how to inject insulin, when to inject it, and how much to inject it. If you need to use insulin to control your diabetes, it is very important to use it exactly as your doctor tells you.
What should blood sugar levels be like?
Typically, you should check your blood sugar levels first thing in the morning (before you eat anything) and about an hour after each meal. For example, if you wake up at 6:15 a.m. and check your blood sugar. If you then eat breakfast at 7 a.m., you should check your blood sugar again at about 8 a.m. You should write down these values as you and your doctor have discussed them.
The following are the blood glucose levels generally recommended by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists:
- Before a meal: 95 `mg/dL` or less (`mg/dL` stands for milligrams per deciliter).
- One hour after a meal: 140 mg/dL or less.
- Two hours after a meal: 120 mg/dL or less.
But remember, everyone is different. These are just general guidelines. Your doctor will tell you what your blood sugar levels should be.
What are the things you should not eat when you have gestational diabetes?
You can help manage gestational diabetes by eating nutritious foods that don't raise your blood sugar levels dangerously. Try these things:
- Reduce processed foods and sugary drinks as much as possible.
- Choose a well-balanced diet of protein, carbohydrates, fiber, and fat for each meal.
- Don't eat a lot at once, eat little by little and often.
- Try to eat meals at the same time every day.
Some people with gestational diabetes can keep their blood sugar levels in check by making small changes to their diet. But some people need to make bigger changes. The important thing is that while some foods may not have a big impact on their blood sugar levels for some people, they may not for you. Remember that everyone is different, and everyone's body is different.
Does drinking water lower blood sugar in gestational diabetes?
During pregnancy, especially if you have gestational diabetes, your body needs plenty of water (hydration). However, there is no research that shows that drinking water alone directly lowers blood sugar.
However, staying hydrated helps your body control blood sugar levels. It thins your blood, making it easier for your kidneys to remove excess sugar from your blood. Water also helps your body use insulin more efficiently, which also helps control blood sugar levels.
How to exercise safely when you have gestational diabetes?
When you exercise, your body uses more glucose, which can lower your blood sugar levels. If you have gestational diabetes, talk to your doctor to develop a safe exercise plan that's right for you. This exercise plan should be specific to your general health and your fitness level before you became pregnant.
Can gestational diabetes be completely cured during pregnancy?
Gestational diabetes cannot be reversed once it develops. Your doctor will check you after you have your baby (usually between 6 and 12 weeks) to see if you still have diabetes.
How worried should I be about gestational diabetes?
Gestational diabetes is a common condition. And doctors know how to best manage and treat it. Even if you have gestational diabetes, you can have a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby. The most important thing is to understand your treatment plan and work with your doctor to keep your blood sugar levels healthy.
Understand the complications that can occur if Gestational Diabetes is not controlled. There is a good chance that your baby will be born healthy, but you need to take steps to control this condition. If your blood sugar levels are consistently high, don't delay seeing your doctor. Tell him or her that your blood sugar is consistently high, and he or she can help you by changing your diet or medication. Gestational Diabetes is something that can be managed, but you need to take responsibility for your pregnancy and your baby's health.
Will gestational diabetes get better after pregnancy?
After you have your baby, as your hormone levels return to normal, your blood sugar levels should decrease. Your doctor will check you again for gestational diabetes after you have your baby (usually between 6 and 12 weeks) to make sure it has gone away.
However, about 50% of people who have had gestational diabetes will develop type 2 diabetes later. You can reduce this risk by eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly. Your doctor may want you to have blood glucose tests every few years, especially if you have other risk factors for diabetes.
Does having gestational diabetes make it a high-risk pregnancy?
Yes, having gestational diabetes can make your pregnancy high-risk. A doctor considers a pregnancy high-risk when you have health conditions that increase the risk of pregnancy complications for you or your baby (or both).
Will my baby be healthy if I have gestational diabetes?
Yes. Most babies are born healthy. There are things you can do to give your baby the best start in life and to control your gestational diabetes during pregnancy. The two best things you can do are to go to all your clinics and to control your diabetes as best you can during pregnancy.
Can gestational diabetes be prevented?
It's impossible to prevent it completely. But you can take steps to reduce your risk. Eating a balanced, nutritious diet and exercising regularly , both before and during pregnancy, are the best ways to reduce your risk of developing gestational diabetes.
What can I do to make living with gestational diabetes easier?
Make diabetes management part of your daily routine. Create a schedule and stick to it. Try these things:
- Check your blood glucose levels at the same time every day.
- Choose to do 30 minutes of light exercise three days a week.
- Plan small, balanced meals in advance.
- Talk to your doctor or a diabetes educator for more advice on daily diabetes management.
When should I see my doctor if I have gestational diabetes?
No matter how careful you are about managing your condition, there may be times when you need to see a doctor. You should definitely see a doctor if you have ``(Gestational Diabetes)`` and have any of the following:
- If you have difficulty controlling your blood sugar levels. That is, if your blood sugar levels are consistently higher than the levels your doctor has given you. Then he or she may want to change your diabetes management plan.
- If your blood sugar is consistently low. Low blood sugar is not a good thing. Your doctor can give you tips on how to keep your blood sugar at a healthy level.
- If you have an illness that makes it difficult to follow your management plan. For example, if you have food poisoning or are vomiting for another reason. Not being able to eat can affect your blood sugar levels.
Can you develop gestational diabetes even if you eat healthily?
Yes. Even if you eat healthily before or during pregnancy, you can still develop gestational diabetes. There are many other factors that affect your risk of developing diabetes. Things like hormones and genes play a big role, and those are things that are beyond your control.
However, if you have gestational diabetes, eating a healthy, nutritious diet is the best way to manage this condition throughout your pregnancy.
Your doctor has just told you that your glucose test failed and you have gestational diabetes. You're probably wondering a million things. 'Is this something I did? Will I have to stick my finger in my mouth the whole time I'm pregnant? Will my baby be healthy?' It's normal to have these questions (and more). Luckily, doctors are well-versed in gestational diabetes and know how to help you manage it.
Most people can control their gestational diabetes by making small changes to their diet. A dietitian or diabetes educator can help you with this. However, some people need insulin to control their blood sugar. In most cases, well-controlled gestational diabetes will not have a significant impact on your pregnancy. However, you need to take an active role in managing your condition to ensure the health of your pregnancy and your baby.
Final Take-Home Message
Okay, so from what we've talked about, I hope you've got a good idea about `(Gestational Diabetes)`. There's no need to worry. This is something that happens to many mothers. The most important thing is:
- Listen carefully to what the doctor says and follow it exactly. Check your blood sugar levels regularly, control your diet, and take your medication properly if necessary.
- Eat a healthy diet. Follow the advice of a nutritionist. Reduce sweet and oily foods as much as possible.
- Exercise as much as possible. Consult your doctor and choose an exercise regimen that is right for you.
- Don't miss your clinic days. Go to all the tests regularly.
- If you have any questions or concerns, talk to your doctor or a family member. Don't worry alone.
If you do these things right, you too will have a healthy, beautiful baby. Don't have any doubt about it. Congratulations!
` Gestational Diabetes, Gestational Diabetes, Sugar during pregnancy, Pregnant mother, Diabetes control, Baby's health, Blood sugar
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