The Effects Of Gestational Diabetes
Gestational diabetes is diabetes that develops during pregnancy. Gestational diabetes is different from diabetes that existed before a pregnancy which is commonly called pre-existing diabetes.
About four percent of all pregnant women develop gestational diabetes. The cause of gestational diabetes is not completely understood, but it may have to do with hormones that help the baby develop but have a negative impact on the effectiveness of the mother’s natural insulin in her body.
Since gestational diabetes occurs late in a pregnancy, it does not pose a risk of birth defects. The baby can be affected by increasing the baby’s body mass which makes the baby susceptible to injury during birth.
If a pregnant woman has gestational diabetes, the newborn may be at an increased risk for breathing problems. Newborns of women with gestational diabetes may also have low blood glucose levels at birth. People whose mothers had gestational diabetes during the pregnancy may be prone to obesity and type II diabetes.
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.
Pregnant women with gestational diabetes are required to check their blood sugar levels multiple times during the day. If the gestational diabetes is not well controlled with diet, the pregnant woman may have to take insulin injections.
Women and newborns rarely have lasting effects from gestational diabetes after birth. The woman may have an increased risk of type II diabetes. The effects of gestational diabetes are usually minimal if it is properly managed.
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