How does gestational diabetes affect women during pregnancy?
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Dr. Mehmet Oz answered:Having gestational diabetes during pregnancy can pose several health risks to a woman and her child. For example, the extra sugar in your bloodstream acts like shards of glass, scraping up the walls of your arteries and potentially inflaming the blood vessels that go to the placenta. In this case, you can actually end up depriving your baby of oxygen and vital nutrients. Gestational diabetes can also cause your unborn baby to gain too much weight.
Find out more about this book: YOU: Having a Baby: The Owner's Manual to a Happy and Healthy Pregnancy
Having gestational diabetes during pregnancy can pose several health risks to a woman and her child. For example, the extra sugar in your bloodstream acts like shards of glass, scraping up the walls of your arteries and potentially inflaming the... More -
Often, women with gestational diabetes have no symptoms. However, gestational diabetes may:
- Increase your risk of high blood pressure (BP) during pregnancy.
- Increase your risk of a large baby and the need for a cesarean section at delivery.
The good news is that your gestational diabetes will probably go away after your baby is born. However, you will be more likely to get type 2 diabetes later in your life. You may also get gestational diabetes once more if you get pregnant again.
Some women wonder whether breastfeeding is okay if they have had gestational diabetes. Breastfeeding is recommended for most babies, including those whose mothers had gestational diabetes.
Gestational diabetes is serious, even if you have no symptoms. Taking care of yourself helps keep your baby healthy.
This answer is based on source information from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.
Often, women with gestational diabetes have no symptoms. However, gestational diabetes may: Increase your risk of high blood pressure (BP) during pregnancy. Increase your risk of a large baby and the need for a cesarean section at delivery. The... More -
Riverside Women's Health answered:Gestational diabetes – Too high blood sugar levels during pregnancy
Usually, there are no symptoms. Sometimes, extreme thirst, hunger, or fatigue
Screening test shows high blood sugar levels
Most women with pregnancy related diabetes can control their blood sugar levels by a following a healthy meal plan from their doctor. Some women also need insulin to keep blood sugar levels under control. Doing so is important because poorly controlled diabetes increases the risk of:
• Preeclampsia
• Early delivery
• Cesearean birth
• Having a big baby, which can complicate delivery
• Baby born with low blood sugar, breathing problems, and jaundiceThis answer is based on source information from the National Women's Health Information Center.
Gestational diabetes – Too high blood sugar levels during pregnancy Usually, there are no symptoms. Sometimes, extreme thirst, hunger, or fatigue Screening test shows high blood sugar levels Most women with pregnancy related diabetes can... More -
Prof. Kathy Snider of Honor Society of Nursing (STTI) answered:Gestational diabetes is diagnosed when a woman cannot adequately metabolize or
breakdown and utilize glucose during pregnancy. Some women may have a
predisposition to carbohydrate metabolism problems before they become pregnant,
but don't know it exists because they haven't had a reason to suspect elevated
blood sugars, or no reason to have lab work done. In these women, the additional
stress of growing a baby on their bodies is enough to allow this metabolic
change to show itself for the first time. Usually, after the woman delivers, the
body returns to a state of normal carbohydrate and sugar metabolism.
Gestational diabetes is diagnosed when a woman cannot adequately metabolize or breakdown and utilize glucose during pregnancy. Some women may have a predisposition to carbohydrate metabolism problems before they become pregnant, but don't know it... More -
Paula Greer answered:Lots of chemical reactions occur during pregnancy. If you are ingesting lots of sugar the pancreas has to produce lots of insulin to keep up and prevent the excess sugar from floating around in the blood stream. Sometimes the pancreas can’t keep up and the glucose levels climb and mom develops gestational diabetes. Some moms have trouble processing too many carbs and it evidences itself for the first time during her pregnancy. It is important to eat a well-balanced diet when you are pregnant and to stay active to lower your risks of developing this complication.
Lots of chemical reactions occur during pregnancy. If you are ingesting lots of sugar the pancreas has to produce lots of insulin to keep up and prevent the excess sugar from floating around in the blood stream. Sometimes the pancreas can’t... More -
Ms. Vandana Sheth of Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics answered:Gestational diabetes can increase your risk for developing high blood pressure, pre-eclampsia, eclampsia and potential for becoming diabetic after delivery. Working closely with your healthcare team--your physician, registered dietitian, certified diabetes educator, you can keep your gestational diabetes under tight control and reduce your risk for complications to your baby and you.
Gestational diabetes can increase your risk for developing high blood pressure, pre-eclampsia, eclampsia and potential for becoming diabetic after delivery. Working closely with your healthcare team--your physician, registered dietitian,... More -
Dr. Deborah Raines of Honor Society of Nursing (STTI) answered:Gestational diabetes can cause other complications in the pregnant woman. These potential complications 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.
Gestational diabetes can cause other complications in the pregnant woman. These potential complications include: Pregnancy induced hypertension, preeclampsia or eclampsia Infections Premature labor Development of type 2 diabetes in later life.... More
