The greatest impact of gestational diabetes on delivery is related to fetal size. When gestational diabetes is undiagnosed or poorly managed during pregnancy the fetus responds to the high maternal glucose levels by secreting insulin. These high levels of fetal insulin result in excessive fetal growth. At term these infant may weigh in the range of 9 to 12 pounds. These macrosomic infants are more likely to become wedged in the birth canal, to cause laterations of the maternal perineal tissue, to sustain birth injuries and to necessitate a cesaream delivery.
Gestational Diabetes
When you develop diabetes, or high blood sugar, during pregnancy, it is known as gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Some of the risk factors for developing GDM include being older than 25, a family history of diabetes, having already had a baby who weighed more than 9 pounds and being Hispanic or African-American.
You may not have any symptoms, but if you do they might be blurred vision, fatigue, have frequent infections or increased thirst and urination. You may also have nausea and vomiting or unexplained weight loss.
The goal of treatment is to keep your blood sugar at a healthy level and to make sure your fetus is healthy. See you doctor for regular prenatal visits during your pregnancy.
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Dr. Mehmet Oz, MD , Cardiology (Cardiovascular Disease), answeredSee All 7 AnswersHaving 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. -
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Gestational diabetes develops when blood sugar levels become too high during pregnancy. It is treated with a combination of blood sugar monitoring, diet, exercise, and medication. Medications prescribed for gestational diabetes may include insulin, metformin or glyburide and related medications. Some people take dietary supplements or vitamins such as chromium, omega-3 fatty acids or vitamin E, but there is no good evidence that any of these manage gestational diabetes effectively. It is very important to talk to your doctor before taking any type of supplements during pregnancy, as some may be harmful to you or your baby. -
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You can help prevent the complications that can occur when gestational diabetes is left untreated. There are steps you can take before you become pregnant or early on in your pregnancy to help prevent or lessen the symptoms of these complications. Managing your weight and exercising regularly are some of the ways you can help manage gestational diabetes.
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See All 2 AnswersYes,having gestational diabetes mellitus in a prior pregnancy is a risk factor for the condition to recur in future pregnancies.
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Dr. Carlos E. Mendez, MD , Internal Medicine, answeredSee All 2 AnswersHormones produced during the pregnancy can counteract the effect of insulin. If there is even a mild component of underlying insulin resistance before the pregnancy, this will become more evident especially in the third trimester. It is like a stress test to the pancreas...
Elevated blood glucoses during the pregnancy have been associated with several complications including increased fetal weight/size, birth defects, etc.
Also having gestational diabetes might increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life. Often this can be an opportunity to take healthier choices in lifestyle that can considerably decrease the risks of getting Type 2 diabetes.
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William Lee Dubois , Endocrinology Diabetes & Metabolism, answeredSee All 2 AnswersYep! Type-2 Diabetes, of which gestational diabetes is a special sub-set, has a very strong genetic component. In other words, it’s often a family tradition. If you have a sibling, parent, or grandparent who has diabetes you are much more likely to develop it too. Of course, age and weight before becoming pregnant play a large role too.
But the bottom line is plenty of women with gestational diabetes have safe pregnancies with healthy happy babies. It’s diabetes that you don’t know about that is dangerous. If you have a family history of diabetes, be sure your medical team keeps a close eye on you and that they test you for it.
If you develop gestational diabetes it’s not the end of the world. We have several approved medications that can be used to keep your blood sugar in control while being safe for your baby. You might even be able to control it by changing your diet. Yeah, no one likes to do that, but it is only for a few months!
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Dr. Mehmet Oz, MD , Cardiology (Cardiovascular Disease), answeredSee All 5 AnswersAbout 25 percent of women with gestational diabetes will go on to develop full-blown diabetes and the greatest risk is within the first 5 years after delivery, especially in overweight mothers.
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Low blood sugar, also called hypoglycemia or low blood glucose, is a potential complication for your baby if you have gestational diabetes. If your gestational diabetes is not controlled, your baby may experience low blood sugar immediately after delivery. Talk to your doctor about what you can do to prevent this complication.
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Pregnancy can be an exciting but challenging time for most women; having to manage gestational diabetes adds additional worries and responsibilities. If you are caring for someone with gestational diabetes, you can encourage them to follow their daily treatment plan. Support and encourage healthy habits. Join them when they exercise. Above all, provide support and understanding during this challenging time.