Symptoms-Signs of Diabetes

Gestational Diabetes Symptoms and Signs

The exact cause of gestational diabetes is not known but it is believed to be related to the changes in the hormonal balance as a result of the pregnancy. The placenta which links the blood supply of the mother to the developing child relaease hormone at about the 24th week which may make the pregnant woman’s own supply of insulin less effective. This then means that she develops increased levels of glucose in her blood. The surplus glucose will be secreted in the urine and these gestataional diabetes symptoms or signs of  gestational diabetes will be picked up in the routine ante-natal tests. If the mother to be has had this problem with a previous birth it is likey that she will be tested before the 24th week.

The mothers glucose level will return to normal after the birth but should she become pregnant again she is likely to have the same problem. Approximately half of the women who have experienced gestational diabetes will develop type 2 diabetes later in life. Not having suffered from diabetes during one pregnancy does not mean that a women could not have gestational diabetes in another pregnancy.

What are the effects of gestational diabetes?
Since the baby receives it’s nourishment from the mothers blood supply via the placenta it is natural that any changes in the mothers bloodstream will affect the child. The increased glucose levels in the mother’s blood will se the babys body producing more insulin in response. The net result is that this encourages the storing of the fat and the child grows too large, this generally means that the child is delivered by Caesarean.

Following the birth the extra insulin that the child was producing to counteract the raised glucose levels in its mothers blood now sees it causing its own sugar levels to fall too low. The child might be given extra glucose through an intravenous drip for a period of time.

Gestational diabetes may also increase the risk of developing pre-eclampsia and urinary tract infections.

Treatment of gestational diabetes.

Dietary adjustments are generally all that is needed but some mothers might need insulin injections. Regular exercise also plays an important role.

Read about Gestational Diabetes Diet.

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This page has the following sub pages.

• Reading the signs
• Gestational diet

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