Pregnancy is the period when a woman’s body is undergoing constant changes both physically and hormonally. Although the journey of pregnancy to delivery is not entirely the same for every woman, during the course of pregnancy women experience a few common symptoms (with variable intensity). During pregnancy the majority of the symptoms are nonspecific and often get chalked as ‘normal during pregnancy’. Increased thirst, increased hunger, increased food intake, and increased frequency of urination are among the most commonly ignored symptoms. But these could also be the signs of a more serious problem seen during pregnancy that is ‘Gestational Diabetes’. In this health article we discuss a few important facts about gestational diabetes (addressed as GD going further in the article).

What is GD?

GD is a condition where a woman who never had diabetes before pregnancy, is diagnosed with increased blood sugar levels or diabetes for the first time during her pregnancy.

What are the symptoms of GD?

GD does not have any specific symptoms. The symptoms often go unnoticed with other common pregnancy symptoms and GD is usually diagnosed during routine pregnancy check-ups. However, the noteworthy symptoms that are medically considered the symptoms of GD include:

  • Increased thirst
  • Increased hunger and food intake
  • Increased urination frequency

What are the causes for GD?

The exact causes for GD are unknown. Hormonal changes during the pregnancy under the action of placenta and the pancreas not secreting enough insulin to meet the insulin demands during pregnancy could be the probable causes for GD.

Who is at risk of getting GD?

  • Women who were obese or overweight before getting pregnant
  • Women who get pregnant for the first time in their late 20s or early 30s
  • Prediabetic women (A condition were the individual has had high blood sugars, but not high enough to be called diabetes)
  • History of diabetes in the family
  • Women with endocrine and other problems (such as PCOS) that are linked with insulin
  • Cardiovascular diseases such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and other heart diseases
  • Women who have a history of miscarriage or still birth with previous pregnancy

Is GD treatable?

Yes. GD is treatable. There are two types of GD, A1 and A2. Type A1 GD can be managed very well through diet and exercise. Type A2 GD requires medications. 

What happens if GD is left untreated?

GD is reversible if diagnosed and treated at early stages and generally the baby is safe and unaffected. If left untreated GD might progress to type 2 diabetes after the pregnancy. Moreover, women with GD are at higher risk of delivering heavy babies (babies with excessive birth weight). Other complications include:

  • Premature delivery or stillbirth
  • Baby born with breathing difficulties (respiratory distress)
  • Baby born with low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
  • Baby at risk of having obesity and type 2 diabetes later in life

What precautions should one take with GD?

  • Monitor the blood glucose levels (recommended target blood sugar levels - 95 mg/dL or less before a meal, 140 mg/dL or less an hour after a meal, and 120 mg/dL or less Two hours after a meal)
  • Eat a healthy diet - Include fibers in the diet. If experiencing morning sickness and frequent episodes of vomiting nibble on healthy snacks in small portions. Also have small and frequent meals throughout the day, avoid fatty foods and fried greasy foods
  • Exercise regularly - Seek doctor’s guidance on the type and intensity of exercise of exercises that you can do regularly during pregnancy
  • Maintain a healthy weight
  • Visit healthcare providers frequently to keep GD under control and also to get baby’s growth and development assessed

Disclaimer: The content (video/text) presented on this page should not be considered as a substitute for medical expertise. Please "DO NOT SELF-MEDICATE" and seek professional help regarding any health conditions or concerns. Practo will not be responsible for any act or omission arising from the interpretation of the content present on this page.