Learn more about signs, symptoms, and the effects of gestational diabetes on your pregnancy here.
What is gestational diabetes?
Gestational diabetes is a special form of diabetes that can occur in some women during pregnancy. The cause of this condition is pregnancy hormones: they spike insulin demand. The high insulin consumption prevents the body from breaking down sugar (glucose). As a result, the blood glucose level does not stay low, but keeps rising.
Normally, the body tries to compensate for this by secreting more insulin. But in some pregnant women, the additional demand for insulin cannot be produced. As a result, blood glucose levels remain too high in gestational diabetes, meaning that not enough glucose is transported from the blood into the cells, where it is normally used as energy.
Gestational diabetes usually occurs in the second half of pregnancy, no earlier than 20 weeks gestation, but usually a little later. As the baby grows, the placenta produces more pregnancy hormones, which keep boosting insulin demand. A moderate increase in blood glucose levels after eating is normal, but if you suffer from gestational diabetes, persistent and excessive blood glucose levels can have a negative impact on the growth and development of your little treasure.
What are the symptoms of gestational diabetes?
Unfortunately, gestational diabetes often goes unnoticed because the symptoms and signs are not felt by those affected. However, if any of the risk factors listed below apply to you, your health care provider will test you for gestational diabetes during your checkups.
Even if you do not have any signs or symptoms of gestational diabetes, your doctor will usually screen you during the second half of your pregnancy, usually between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy. It is best to consult your doctor if you are unsure if your levels are normal.
If you suffer from gestational diabetes, it is very important that you go for regular check-ups. This is the only way to have your gestational diabetes levels checked regularly. Especially in the third trimester of your pregnancy, you should visit your doctor more often to make sure that you and your little darling are healthy.
