Gestational diabetes is the presence of high blood sugar levels in pregnant women. It may show up in advanced stages of pregnancy and may affect women without any previous diabetes issue. Gestational diabetes sometimes only lasts as long as a woman is pregnant and tends to disappear after delivery.
Causes
In pregnancy, hormones undergo extreme changes and this may result in a condition, which causes the body to stop making required insulin. The body’s ability to respond to insulin in an adequate manner is lost, because of so many changes taking place at once. This leads to a rise in blood sugar levels, resulting in gestational diabetes.
Gestational diabetes may cause complications to you and your developing fetus during pregnancy, if left untreated. It can be treated with making some lifestyle changes and medicine if required.
Risk factors
- Obese women
- Previous case of gestational diabetes in earlier pregnancy
- Family history of diabetes
- Decreased physical activity
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol levels
- Presence of a pre medical condition
- Previous delivery of an over-weight baby
- Premature labor
Symptoms
Usually there are no symptoms related to gestational diabetes that show up during pregnancy. You may have to rely on screen tests during your regular appointments.
- You may notice an increase in thirst and a parched mouth
- An urge to urinate often
- Vaginal infection
- Increased hunger pangs
- Feeling of tiredness throughout the day
- Thrush or itchiness
- Nausea
- Blurry vision
If you experience any of these symptoms or a combination and suspect you may have gestational diabetes, you should bring it up with your doctor for advice. Some women may not experience any of these symptoms and still test positive. Screen tests and checkups are extremely important in ruling out any condition during pregnancy.
