The Effects Of Gestational Diabetes
Diabetes that develops during pregnancy is called gestational diabetes. If a woman has diabetes before she is pregnant, this is called pre-existing diabetes, not gestational diabetes.
About four percent of pregnancies are affected by gestational diabetes. The hormone that encourages the growth of the fetus is suspected as a cause of gestational diabetes since it inhibits the mother’s ability to metabolize glucose.
Birth defects are not a risk of gestational diabetes since gestational diabetes occurs late in the pregnancy. Since gestational diabetes increases the baby’s size, the baby may be at increased risk of injury during birth.
Newborns of mothers who had gestational diabetes are prone to breathing problems. The newborns may also have very low blood glucose levels at birth and be susceptible to obesity and type II diabetes later in life.
Timed blood tests and consuming a glucose solution are part of testing for gestational diabetes. Typically, blood sample is drawn at the beginning of the test and one hour after the pregnant woman drinks a glucose solution. More blood tests after longer periods of time may also be done.
A diabetic diet is used to treat gestational diabetes. The obstetrician is likely to have the pregnant woman with gestational diabetes meet with a dietitian who will design a diabetic diet.
The diabetic diet for gestational diabetes typically includes three meals and two snacks a day. The diabetic diet includes a variety of foods. The dietitian may give the pregnant woman in exchange list to use with the diabetic diet. The exchange list will have good suggestions and serving sizes for each of the food groups.
Multiple times a day, the pregnant woman with gestational diabetes will need to check her blood sugar levels. These readings are then reported to the doctor’s office where they will be used to determine if the gestational diabetes is under control. If the gestational diabetes is not effectively managed with a diabetic diet, insulin injections may be necessary.
It is not common for a woman or newborn to have diabetes immediately after birth. Women who have had gestational diabetes may be at increased risk of developing type II diabetes. With proper management, the effects of gestational diabetes on the mother and baby can be minimal.
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