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Gestational Diabetes: Symptoms, Risk, Causes and How to Control

Brenda Albano

February 17, 2022

Gestational Diabetes Symptoms, Risks, Causes and How to Deal With It Naturally

Gestational Diabetes

Gestational diabetes is a prevalent form of diabetes occurring in pregnant women. Because of its pervasiveness, many women want to know more about gestational diabetes symptoms.

Gestational diabetes is the increase in blood sugar level (glucose) during pregnancy in non-diabetic pregnant women. It occurs mostly during the 2nd or 3rd trimester.

Type-A1 can be controlled in a number of different ways and is not so dangerous for the mother or baby. If it’s type-A2, it can be managed with insulin or other medications but it can still develop any time after the birth of the baby .

Usually, gestational diabetes happens in women without any past diabetes record and ends after birth, but it can also affect your baby if left unattended during pregnancy.

Risk of Gestational Diabetes

Pregnancy diabetes can be dangerous for women since the immune system is compromised at that time. If a woman doesn’t know how to avoid gestational diabetes, it can cause a slew of issues for the mother and the child.

It is vital for women to know if they are at risk of developing this illness while pregnant. You are most likely to be affected with gestational diabetes if:

  • Your body mass index is above 30 or you think you are overweight.
  • You are Asian, African American, Native American, Hispanic, Pacific Islander, and Alaska Native.
  • You have high blood pressure issues.
  • You have a family history of diabetes.
  • You have had gestational diabetes before.
  • You have given birth to a baby weighing more than 4.5 kg or 9 pounds.
  • You are suffering from polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

Gestational Diabetes Infographics

What are the Symptoms of Gestational Diabetes?

Usually, pregnancy diabetes doesn’t cause any threatening or dangerous symptoms but it can sometimes cause mild underlying symptoms. These symptoms may be discovered during regular tests.

It can cause high blood sugar levels which can result in hyperglycemia. It can cause some common factors such as:

  • Peeing more than usual
  • Increased thirst
  • Dry mouth
  • Dehydration
  • Tiredness

These symptoms are noticeable because they are common in pregnancy. There is very little chance that you would notice that you are diabetic.

For more guide, read about Understanding, Managing and Living with Diabetes.

What Causes Gestational Diabetes?

Normally, our pancreas releases insulin when we eat; this hormone helps to move sugar (glucose) from blood to cells that use it to make energy. Pregnancy diabetes can occur because our body stops making insulin and it causes an increase in our blood sugar level and causes gestational diabetes. Type-A diabetes can be controlled by home remedies and various exercises while type-2 diabetes can be serious and can cause some serious health issues. It can also affect your baby during pregnancy and can cause long-term health problems.

Human placental lactogen and other hormones that affect your placenta during pregnancy cause your body to be resistant to insulin, which may also result in gestational diabetes.

How Can Gestational Diabetes Affect Your Pregnancy?

Mostly gestational diabetes does not affect the baby but it can cause some problems during childbirth such as:

  • Your baby can grow larger than normal or can become overweight which increases the early risk of cesarean section or induced labor.
  • There can be an increase in amniotic fluid (polyhydramnios) which is a fluid that surrounds the baby in the womb. It can cause problems in delivery or during premature labor.
  • It can cause early labor (premature birth) in the 37th week of pregnancy.
  • It can cause yellowish skin and eyes after birth and can affect the development of blood sugar levels.
  • It can cause the danger of losing the life of the baby; It may put the baby’s life in jeopardy and cause your baby to be stillborn.
  • There is a chance of developing type-2 diabetes in the future.

When Does Gestational Diabetes Occur?

There is no fixed time of occurrence as there is no specific reason for pregnancy diabetes. It can usually occur in the 2nd or 3rd trimester.

If you are identified with gestational diabetes you should try to control it before it causes any problem. If you once had gestational diabetes there is a chance to develop it again. Gestational diabetes can also cause type-2 diabetes in the future after pregnancy.
Here’s an article worth reading about the natural helps for type 2 diabetes.

Screening for Gestational Diabetes

During the first antenatal appointment, which happens around 8 to 12 weeks of your pregnancy, your doctor may ask you some questions to confirm if you are having gestational diabetes.

  • If you have any clear symptoms of diabetes your doctor may ask for screening tests.
  • An oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), takes about two hours to complete. It involves a blood test in the morning and then you’re given a glucose drink after 8 to 10 hours of fasting.
  • After two hours of rest, another blood sample is taken. It gives the result of how your body is dealing with glucose.
  • It is done between your 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy. If you have any history of pregnancy diabetes, you may go through this test earlier as well.

How to Control Gestational Diabetes?

Blood Sugar Complex 60 Capsules Helps Fight Insulin Resistance Naturally Infographics
Gestational diabetes can be averted with some methods and it is preferable to control it early rather than later.

  • It can be reduced by controlling your sugar levels.
  • You can observe your sugar levels on a regular basis by testing it yourself at home using a blood sugar testing kit.
  • You may eat a healthy and low sugar diet which may also complete your nutrition needs.
  • You may also give birth before 41 weeks. Cesarean section or induction of labor can be done if water does not break naturally at the time.
  • Add less sugary snacks and more vegetables to your diet.
  • You should have three meals a day and should have snacks around fixed times every day.
  • You should also take vitamin and mineral supplements to complete your needs and your doctor may also recommend them to you.

Here’s a detailed guide on the natural remedies for gestational diabetes.

How to Avoid Gestational Diabetes?

You can avoid gestational diabetes by maintaining your blood sugar and by maintaining a good lifestyle, you can control blood sugar levels.

  • Exercise can help to avoid gestational diabetes. Exercising on a regular basis can help you avoid gestational diabetes. You can take short walks after having a meal at night or can ride your bike in the morning.
  • Diet plays a major role in pregnancy. You should eat a diet which is also low in calories and fat. You should add more vegetables and fruits to your diet.
  • Maintaining weight can play a major role in planning a pregnancy. You should have a normal weight before pregnancy which can help you avoid gaining extra weight.

DISCLAIMER: These statements have not been approved by the FDA and we do not make any claims that this product or ingredient will cure, prevent, treat or even diagnose any disease. Studies linked here were conducted by independent labs for informational purposes. Please check with your doctor of choice for information regarding your own personal health profile and needs.

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