What is Gestational Diabetes?
Gestational Diabetes is a form of normal diabetes that develops in pregnant women, resulting in a high blood sugar level. If the condition of gestational diabetes is left untreated, it can harm both the mother and her fetus as well. However, the good news is that, in most cases, the condition of gestational diabetes fades away after the delivery without leaving any traces.
What Causes Gestational Diabetes?
There’s a hormone in our body, called insulin, which controls the level of blood sugar. The production of the hormone – insulin – gets lower in pregnant women that lead to gestational diabetes. Obese women or the women who gained considerable weight during pregnancy are comparatively more likely to suffer from gestational diabetes. In the same way, women with a family history of diabetes are also likely to suffer from gestational diabetes.
What Are The Effects of Gestational Diabetes?
Preterm birth:
The presence of gestational diabetes increases the chances of preterm birth that can harm your baby. In most cases, preterm birth results in respiratory-distress syndrome and other lung diseases in the babies. You should visit your gynecologist regularly to avoid such conditions.
High blood pressure:
The presence of gestational diabetes increases the chances of high blood pressure in pregnant women. The condition of high blood pressure in pregnant women has been termed preeclampsia. The symptoms of preeclampsia include but are not limited to swollen hands, swollen feet, presence of protein in the urine, and so on.
High birth weight:
High glucose level from pregnant women with gestational diabetes gets transferred through the placenta on to the baby, causing the increase of insulin in the baby’s body to cope with excess glucose level. The more than needed glucose level in the baby’s body increases their weight, which in turn, reduces the chances of normal delivery.
Final Words:
In addition to the things said above, gestational diabetes can cause many other health issues for both the mothers and their children as well. However, the good news is that there are many ways to deal with the condition of gestational diabetes. For more information, schedule an appointment with Dr. Sushmita Mukherjee.
