Gestational diabetes also known as GDM (gestational diabetes mellitus), is a type of diabetes where gestational means during pregnancy, and thus is only diagnosed in pregnant women as a degree of glucose intolerance and affects around 3-7% of pregnant women.
It is not easy to look for symptoms as only few women present with symptoms identical to any diabetes symptoms: increased thirst and urination, fatigue and infection.
GDM is believed to be a result of increased production of hormones by placenta as the pregnancy progresses, where in some cases these hormones decrease insulin effectiveness leading to glucose intolerance, increased blood glucose (blood sugar) and gestational diabetes. In majority of cases once the woman delivers her baby the hormone production goes back to normal, her blood glucose normalizes and gestational diabetes resolves.
It cannot be diagnosed in advance thus the woman who is planning to get pregnant cannot know whether or not she will develop gestational diabetes.
However, if the woman identifies with risk factors linked to GDM, she may reduce the risk. The number one risk factor is obesity; especially if the woman's pre-pregnancy BMI is 30 and higher. Family history of type 2 diabetes, maternal age (35 years and more), ethnicity and previous history of gestational diabetes can all increase the risk of developing gestational diabetes.
If the woman is at higher risk her doctor should offer regular blood glucose monitoring and a test of how the body handles sugar (glucose challenge test and glucose tolerance test), which is usually done at screening in 24-28 weeks of pregnancy. If left untreated it can have risks for the mother and her baby. The mother is at higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Her baby can be born with high birth weight, low blood sugar, jaundice and respiratory difficulties, and may be prone to developing childhood obesity and type 2 diabetes later in life.
The woman herself can help the body to regulate the level of blood glucose and prevent GDM and its complications by applying first line treatment measures, which are healthy balanced diet and moderate physical activity (walking or swimming). Check with your midwife/doctor before starting any new activity.
In rare cases if the blood glucose remains high the doctor will recommend anti-diabetic medication.
It is not easy to look for symptoms as only few women present with symptoms identical to any diabetes symptoms: increased thirst and urination, fatigue and infection.
GDM is believed to be a result of increased production of hormones by placenta as the pregnancy progresses, where in some cases these hormones decrease insulin effectiveness leading to glucose intolerance, increased blood glucose (blood sugar) and gestational diabetes. In majority of cases once the woman delivers her baby the hormone production goes back to normal, her blood glucose normalizes and gestational diabetes resolves.
It cannot be diagnosed in advance thus the woman who is planning to get pregnant cannot know whether or not she will develop gestational diabetes.
However, if the woman identifies with risk factors linked to GDM, she may reduce the risk. The number one risk factor is obesity; especially if the woman's pre-pregnancy BMI is 30 and higher. Family history of type 2 diabetes, maternal age (35 years and more), ethnicity and previous history of gestational diabetes can all increase the risk of developing gestational diabetes.
If the woman is at higher risk her doctor should offer regular blood glucose monitoring and a test of how the body handles sugar (glucose challenge test and glucose tolerance test), which is usually done at screening in 24-28 weeks of pregnancy. If left untreated it can have risks for the mother and her baby. The mother is at higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Her baby can be born with high birth weight, low blood sugar, jaundice and respiratory difficulties, and may be prone to developing childhood obesity and type 2 diabetes later in life.
The woman herself can help the body to regulate the level of blood glucose and prevent GDM and its complications by applying first line treatment measures, which are healthy balanced diet and moderate physical activity (walking or swimming). Check with your midwife/doctor before starting any new activity.
In rare cases if the blood glucose remains high the doctor will recommend anti-diabetic medication.
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