Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that develops during pregnancy when blood sugar levels get too high[1][2]. It affects nearly 10 percent of pregnant women[3]. Gestational diabetes usually appears during the middle of pregnancy, between 24 and 28 weeks[1]. It is caused by hormonal changes in pregnancy, extra weight, or a family history of diabetes[4]. Women who are overweight or have obesity may already have insulin resistance when they become pregnant, and gaining too much weight during pregnancy may also be a factor[4].
Symptoms
Gestational diabetes often has no, or very mild, symptoms. If you do have symptoms, they may be mild, such as being thirstier than normal or having to urinate more often[4]. Increased thirst and fatigue are also common symptoms[3]. Some women may develop symptoms if their blood glucose levels get high, including going to the toilet a lot, especially at night, being really thirsty, feeling more tired than usual, losing weight without trying to, and general itching or thrush[5].
Diagnosis
Most pregnant people get a test for gestational diabetes at 24 to 28 weeks of pregnancy[6]. If you’re at high risk of diabetes, your health care provider may test for diabetes early in pregnancy, likely at your first prenatal visit[7]. Screening tests may vary slightly depending on your health care provider, but generally include an initial glucose challenge test, where you’ll drink a syrupy glucose solution and have a blood test to measure your blood sugar level[7]. If the results of the glucose challenge test are abnormal, you’ll need to take a longer glucose tolerance test[6].
Treatment
The treatment for gestational diabetes always includes special meal plans and scheduled physical activity, and it may also include daily blood glucose testing and insulin injections[8]. Many women with gestational diabetes can manage their blood glucose levels by following a healthy eating plan and being physically active[9]. If lifestyle changes are not enough to control blood sugar levels, medication may be necessary[9]. Insulin is usually the first choice of diabetes medicine for gestational diabetes[9].
Complications
Gestational diabetes, left untreated and unmanaged, can pose serious health risks to your baby, including excessive birth weight, preterm birth and respiratory distress syndrome, low blood sugar at birth, and increased risk of type 2 diabetes later in life[3]. High blood glucose levels during pregnancy can also cause problems for your baby, such as being born too early, weighing too much, which can make delivery difficult and injure your baby, having low blood glucose, also called hypoglycemia, right after birth, and having breathing problems[2]. High blood glucose also can increase the chance that you will have a miscarriage or a stillborn baby[2]. However, pregnant people who have gestational diabetes can and do have healthy pregnancies and healthy babies[10].
If you are pregnant and have concerns about gestational diabetes, talk to your healthcare provider about what you can do to reduce your risk and help prevent diabetes in the future.
Citations:
[1] https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9012-gestational-diabetes
[6] https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gestational-diabetes/symptoms-causes/syc-20355339
[7] https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gestational-diabetes/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20355345
[8] https://diabetes.org/diabetes/gestational-diabetes/how-to-treat-gestational-diabetes
[10] https://www.marchofdimes.org/find-support/topics/pregnancy/gestational-diabetes
By Perplexity at https://www.perplexity.ai/search/c3057ba3-9c16-4226-8deb-16ddfc7e1652
Great article! It provides clear and helpful information about gestational diabetes and offers tips on reducing the risk and preventing diabetes in the future. This article is very informative and provides valuable insight into gestational diabetes and its management.
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