Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

What is Gestational Diabetes?

Gestational Diabetes or Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) is a condition in which women with no pre existing diabetes exhibit high levels of blood sugar during pregnancy. Gestational Diabetes is one of the most common pregnancy disorders. It affects around 3% – 10% of all pregnancies. It usually sets in during the second half of pregnancy (especially during the third trimester of pregnancy). For most women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus, the blood sugar level returns to normal soon after the baby is born.

Gestational Diabetes Symptoms:

Gestational Diabetes generally has very few symptoms, Also these symptoms are most common symptoms of pregnancy too. hence it is very difficult to detect GDM through symptoms. It is most usually diagonised by screening tests. The common symptoms may include:

  • Fatigue
  • Frequent infections, including those of the bladder, vagina, and skin
  • Increased thirst
  • Increased urination
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Weight loss in spite of increased appetite
  • Blurred vision

Tests for GDM

Usually all pregnant women undergo Glucose Screening Test between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy. However if you are at high risk for diabetes your care giver might give you glucose screening test at your first pre-natal visit.

Health Care providers may use one of the following two approaches:

  • One-step approach: In this approach your blood sugar is measured after fasting (not eating or drinking anything except water) for 4 to 8 hours. Then you are asked to drink a sugar solution. Your blood sugar is measured again after 2 hours. This type of test is called oral glucose tolerance test.
  • Two-step approach: In this approach you are given a sugar solution to drink. Your blood sugar is measured on hour later. If your blood sugar is normal after one hour you probably do not have gestational diabetes. However, if your blood glucose is high after an hour, you would be given an oral glucose test to see if you have gestational diabetes(GDM).

Cause for Gestational Diabetes:

The placenta is an organ which connects the baby by the umblical cord to the uterus. The placenta produces many hormones which help the baby grow. But these hormones also block the action of the mother’s insulin in her body. This is necessary so that the growing baby gets sufficient sugar(glucose). This problem is called insulin resistance. Insulin resistance makes it hard for the mother’s body to use insulin. As a result the mothers pancreas has to secrete still more insulin, upto three times the normal amount and it usually does without an issue. But if the pancreas can’t keep up with the increased demand during pregnancy, the blood sugar level rises too high. This condition is called gestational diabetes.

Effects Of Gestational Diabetes on you and your baby:

Most women who have GDM deliver healthy babies. However, Gestational Diabetes thats not carefully managed can lead to uncontrolled blood sugar levels and can cause problems for you and your baby.

Usually the blood sugar returns to normal after the delivery. But once you’ve had gestational diabetes you are at a higher risk for getting GDM again during future pregnancies. Also you will be at a increased risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Very rarely women with GDM develop Type 1 Diabetes or Latent Autoimmune diabetes.

GDM can affect your developing baby throughout the pregnancy. In early

Treating Gestational Diabetes

Gestational Diabetes is a treatable condition and women who have adequate control of glucose levels can effectively decrease the risks involved. Most women are treated only with diet modification and moderate exercise But some take anti-diabetic drugs, including insulin.