What are some complications of gestational diabetes?
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Johns Hopkins Medicine answered:Unlike type 1 diabetes, gestational diabetes generally does not cause birth defects. Birth defects usually originate sometime during the first trimester (before the 13th week) of pregnancy. But, the insulin resistance from the contra-insulin hormones produced by the placenta does not usually occur until approximately the 24th week. Women with gestational diabetes generally have normal blood sugar levels during the critical first trimester.
The complications of gestational diabetes are usually manageable and preventable. The key to prevention is careful control of blood sugar levels just as soon as the diagnosis of gestational diabetes is made.
Infants of mothers with gestational diabetes are vulnerable to several chemical imbalances, such as low serum calcium and low serum magnesium levels, but, in general, there are two major problems of gestational diabetes: macrosomia and hypoglycemia.
Macrosomia refers to a baby that is considerably larger than normal. All of the nutrients the fetus receives come directly from the mother's blood. If the maternal blood has too much glucose, the pancreas of the fetus senses the high glucose levels and produces more insulin in an attempt to use this glucose. The fetus converts the extra glucose to fat. Even when the mother has gestational diabetes, the fetus is able to produce all the insulin it needs. The combination of high blood glucose levels from the mother and high insulin levels in the fetus results in large deposits of fat which causes the fetus to grow excessively large.
Hypoglycemia refers to low blood sugar in the baby immediately after delivery. This problem occurs if the mother's blood sugar levels have been consistently high, causing the fetus to have a high level of insulin in its circulation. After delivery, the baby continues to have a high insulin level, but it no longer has the high level of sugar from its mother, resulting in the newborn's blood sugar level becoming very low. The baby's blood sugar level is checked after birth, and if the level is too low, it may be necessary to give the baby glucose intravenously.Unlike type 1 diabetes, gestational diabetes generally does not cause birth defects. Birth defects usually originate sometime during the first trimester (before the 13th week) of pregnancy. But, the insulin resistance from the contra-insulin... More -
Ms. Vandana Sheth of Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics answered:Most women with well-controlled gestational diabetes have healthy babies. Complications of gestational diabetes usually occur in cases where the blood sugars have been uncontrolled. Complications to the baby might include excessive birth weight, preterm birth, respiratory distress syndrome, hypoglycemia, jaundice, increased future risk for developing obesity and type 2 diabetes. In severe cases, baby can be still born. Complications to the mother can include high blood pressure, pre-eclampsia, greater chance of needing a delivery by c-section, increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Most women with well-controlled gestational diabetes have healthy babies. Complications of gestational diabetes usually occur in cases where the blood sugars have been uncontrolled. Complications to the baby might include excessive birth... More -
Dr. Deborah Raines of Honor Society of Nursing (STTI) answered:Gestational diabetes can cause other complications in the pregnant woman and in the newborn.
The potential complications in the pregnant woman may include:
- Pregnancy induced hypertension, preeclampsia or eclampsia
- Infections
- Premature labor
- Development of type 2 diabetes in later life.
- Difficult delivery or need for a cesarean birth due to large infant size.
The potential effects on the newborn may include
- Stillbirth
- Preterm birth
- Respiratory distress syndrome
- Hypoglycemia
- Jaundice
- Excessive birth weight resulting in difficult birth and birth injuries
Gestational diabetes can cause other complications in the pregnant woman and in the newborn. The potential complications in the pregnant woman may include: Pregnancy induced hypertension, preeclampsia or eclampsia Infections Premature labor... More -
HealthyWomen answered:The main concern with gestational diabetes is that the baby may develop a fetal macrosomia, a condition in which it grows more than nine pounds, four ounces before birth, regardless of its gestational age. This occurs because the baby is getting large amounts of glucose from the mother, which triggers the baby's pancreas to produce more insulin. The extra glucose, then, is converted to fat.
In some cases, the baby becomes too large to be delivered through the birth canal, requiring a cesarean delivery.
Gestational diabetes also increases the risk of hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, in the baby right after delivery. This medical problem typically occurs if the mother's blood sugar levels have been consistently high, leading to high blood levels of insulin in the baby. After it's born, the baby continues to have a high insulin level but no longer has the high levels of glucose from the mother. So the newborn's blood sugar levels drop sharply and suddenly. Your baby's blood sugar levels will be checked in the newborn nursery, and if they're too low, the baby may receive oral or intravenous glucose.
Babies whose mothers have gestational diabetes or whose mothers had insulin-dependent diabetes before they became pregnant are also at higher risk for respiratory distress syndrome after birth, a condition that makes it hard for the baby to breathe.
Additionally, children whose mothers had gestational diabetes are at higher risk for getting diabetes as they get older and are more likely to be obese as children or adults, which can lead to other health problems.The main concern with gestational diabetes is that the baby may develop a fetal macrosomia, a condition in which it grows more than nine pounds, four ounces before birth, regardless of its gestational age. This occurs because the baby is... More -
Intermountain Healthcare answered:Unless your gestational diabetes is well controlled, you and your developing baby are likely to have high blood glucose (too much glucose in the blood). This can cause problems for both of you during the pregnancy, at the birth, and in the years to come.
Potential problems for your baby:
- Your baby may be born prematurely (too soon). There is also a small chance that your baby will be stillborn (die before birth).
- Your baby may grow unusually large before birth, which can make delivery difficult. Babies of mothers with gestational diabetes have higher rates of birth trauma than those whose mothers don't have the condition.
- After birth, your baby may have trouble breathing. Your baby may also have jaundice and low blood glucose.
- Your baby may develop diabetes later in life. Studies also show an increased risk of obesity in childhood and beyond.
- You have an increased chance of developing preeclampsia during pregnancy. Preeclampsia is a complex condition that causes high blood pressure and poor blood flow to your organs and your baby. If it's very severe, preeclampsia can be life-threatening for both mother and child.
- You have a greater chance of needing a C-section delivery of your baby. This is linked to the greater chance that your baby will be unusually large.
- You may develop type 2 diabetes later in life. Also, if you get pregnant again, you're more likely to have gestational diabetes then as well.
Unless your gestational diabetes is well controlled, you and your developing baby are likely to have high blood glucose (too much glucose in the blood). This can cause problems for both of you during the pregnancy, at the birth, and in the... More
