What is Gestational diabetes and how to know if you have it or are at risk
As many of us know, pregnancy is a special time in a woman’s life. Expecting mothers go through so many changes, both physically and emotionally. One of these things that can happen during pregnancy is gestational diabetes.
This type of diabetes only happens during pregnancy and usually goes away after the baby is born.
It can happen to any pregnant woman, even if she doesn’t have a history of diabetes.
I just happened to be one of these pregnant women that got it. I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes with my two oldest children. Each diagnosis, occur at different stages of my pregnancy which I found affected the treatment plan and its outcome for both me and my babies.
This is why It’s important to be aware of gestational diabetes and intervene with a treatment plan and controlled it so it does not affect both you and your baby.
Here’s what you need to know about gestational diabetes.
What is Gestational Diabetes
Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that only happens during pregnancy. It occurs when there are high levels of sugar in the blood. The sugar comes from the food that the mother eats. When the body can’t produce enough insulin to process all of the sugar, it leads to gestational diabetes. Usually, this type of diabetes goes away after the baby is born but it can lead to other health problems down the road such as type 2 diabetes.
What causes and Triggers Gestational Diabetes
As of today, there is no specific cause or trigger of why gestational diabetes occurs in pregnant women. There are however some risk factors that can increase the chances of a pregnant woman developing it. These factors are as follows;
If you Have family members with type 2 diabetes
If you are overweight
If you are over the age of 35
If you Have previously given birth to a larger baby (more than 9 lbs)
If you come from Certain ethnicities such as Aboriginal, Latin American, Asian and African
If you had gestational diabetes in the past. for more information go here
If you have any of these risk factors, you are more likely to develop gestational diabetes during your pregnancy.
Is important that you live a healthy life as well as inform your doctors to be aware so they can test and have a treatment plan for you as soon as possible.
Here are ways to know if you are at risk of developing gestational diabetes so you can live a healthier life to avoid
How Being overweight or obese can increase your chances
Being overweight or obese puts you at greater risk for developing gestational diabetes because it increases your body’s resistance to insulin. When you have too much body fat, your cells can’t use insulin properly. That resistance makes it harder for your body to control blood sugar levels, which can lead to gestational diabetes.
If you’re overweight or obese, you can lower your risk by losing weight before you get pregnant. If you’re unable to lose weight before becoming pregnant, talk to your healthcare provider about ways to lower your risk during pregnancy.
Obesity is a major risk factor for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). If you’re obese and pregnant, talk to your healthcare provider about how to manage your weight during pregnancy. Making lifestyle changes, such as eating a healthy diet and getting regular exercise, can help reduce your risk of GDM and other complications during pregnancy. Living a healthier life can defiantly help reduce your chances of developing Gestational Diabetes. If you have been following my IVF Journey, you would know that I developed gestational diabetes with my first two children. With my 3rd child, I didn’t develop it. The reason was that I went on two-week detox. After my detox, I started my fertility diet. I was on it throughout my entire pregnancy as a result I did not develop Gestational diabetes. Being aware of the risk factor can help you determine if you are at risk then you can plan appropriately and try to avoid developing it.
How is having a Family history of diabetes increase your chances of developing Gestational diabetes
Did you know that your family history of diabetes can affect your own chances of developing the disease? In fact, if you have a parent or a sibling with diabetes, you’re two to six times more likely to develop diabetes yourself. This is because our genes play a significant role in whether or not we develop the disease. But even if you have a family history of diabetes, there are things you can do to prevent or delay its onset. Here’s what you need to know.
Type 2 diabetes is a multi-factorial disease, meaning that both genetic and lifestyle factors play a role in its development. If you have a family history of type 2 diabetes, it means that one or more of your close relatives has the disease. This could be your parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, or sibling. Having a first-degree relative with type 2 diabetes increases your risk of developing the disease by two to six times. And the closer the relative is to you, the higher your risk will be.
However, it’s important to remember that just because you have a family history of type 2 diabetes doesn’t mean that you will definitely develop the disease yourself. In fact, there are many things you can do to prevent or delay its onset, even if diabetes runs in your family.
These include maintaining a healthy weight, eating a healthy diet, and getting regular exercise. If you have any concerns about your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, be sure to talk to your doctor.
They can help you assess your individual risk and make recommendations for prevention or treatment.
How is Being from a Certain ethnicity such as Aboriginal, Latin American, Asian and African increase your chances
While any woman can develop gestational diabetes, new research has shown that certain ethnicities may be more at risk than others. The study found Aboriginal, Latin American Asian or African women are 2-3 times as likely to develop gestational diabetes when they’re pregnant while there’s no difference in rates between other groups such as European Americans who make up the majority population here across Canada
The reasons for this increased risk aren’t yet known but some theories exist including differences within these cultures’ lifestyles which could lead their bodies to react differently during pregnancy
There are many theories as to why certain ethnicities might be more at risk than others for developing gestational diabetes, but it’s not yet known exactly what causes this condition in minority groups.
One theory suggests that there could be an issue with how white blood cells function or something genetic-related – both things being looked into by scientists right now!
How is Being over the age of 35 increase your chances
If you’re a woman over the age of 35, you may be at an increased risk for developing gestational diabetes. While gestational diabetes can occur at any age, your risk goes up as you get older. In fact, women over the age of 35 are two to three times more likely to develop gestational diabetes than women under the age of 25. So, what is gestational diabetes and how can you reduce your risk?
As women age, their bodies become less able to process sugar, which can lead to gestational diabetes. Additionally, women who are over the age of 35 are more likely to have other health conditions—such as obesity and hypertension—that increase their risk for developing gestational diabetes. Lastly, older women are more likely to have larger babies, which can also contribute to the development of gestational diabetes.
If you had gestational diabetes in the past increase your chances.
If you’ve had gestational diabetes in the past, you’re at an increased risk of developing it again in future pregnancies. For most women, this happens around the 24th week of pregnancy. Although gestational diabetes usually goes away after you have your baby, it can increase your risk of developing type 2 diabetes later on in life.
The good news is that you can reduce the risk of future health issues by maintaining a healthy weight, exercising and eating a balanced diet.
I was unaware of my risk factors with my first baby. When I did develop it, it was detected way later in my pregnancy. The treatment plan was for me to control it with diet. I tried it for a week and went back for a scan but the baby was getting too big. They place me on insulin. Prinking my finger was not the best experience but It worked but it was already too late. The baby was already too big. I guess what I am trying to say is that knowing about my risk helped me get educated on the subject and helped me do better with my second child and third baby. Although I developed it with my second child. it was very early in my pregnancy. I was able to control it with just diet and no insulin at all.
With my third child, I was able to avoid developing it with a preventative method which I mentioned earlier like detox, fertility dieting and exercising.
Having previously given birth to a larger baby (more than 9 lbs) increase your chances
One reason why having a larger baby may increase your risk of developing gestational diabetes has to do with the placenta. The placenta is an organ that develops during pregnancy and provides oxygen and nutrients to your growing baby. It also gets rid of your baby’s waste products. If you have gestational diabetes, your body may make too much insulin, which can cause the placenta to grow too large. A large placenta can make it difficult for your baby to get the oxygen and nutrients he or she needs.
Additionally, if you have had a previous pregnancy where you gave birth to a large baby (more than 9 pounds), you are more likely to develop gestational diabetes during your next pregnancy. This is because carrying around extra weight can make it harder for your body to use insulin properly.
How Is It Diagnosed?
Gestational diabetes is typically diagnosed during the second trimester of pregnancy using a glucose tolerance test. This involves drinking a sugary liquid and then having your blood sugar levels checked an hour later. If your blood sugar levels are higher than normal, you may be diagnosed with gestational diabetes.
The treatment for gestational diabetes involves making lifestyle changes, such as following a healthy diet and getting regular exercise. You may also need to take medication to help control your blood sugar levels.
The test for gestational diabetes is usually done between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy but may be done earlier if you have risk factors for developing this condition. It’s important to note that this test does not diagnose gestational diabetes – it only screens for it. If your results come back abnormal, you will need to take another test called the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) to confirm the diagnosis. The OGTT involves drinking a sugary drink and then having your blood sugar levels checked every hour for three hours afterwards. The oral glucose tolerance test is considered diagnostic because it measures how well your body handles sugar over time rather than at one moment in time like the initial screening test does.
Remember is ok if you are diagnosed with gestational diabetes, don’t worry. Don’t let it stress you. You have a baby to care for now – there are treatments available to help keep both you and your baby healthy!
How is gestational diabetes managed?
Gestational diabetes can be managed during pregnancy and after delivery. Proper management of gestational diabetes includes ;
Sticking to a healthy diet, Staying physically active (even if you aren’t feeling well), and monitoring your blood sugar levels regularly with testing strips or self-testing Roche Diagnostics’ SmartSolutions for Bolus Investigator system which provides instant feedback about how fast food affects glycemic control in real time – all without pricking yourself!
The Last Thing You Need to Know About gestational diabetes
Is that if you have any of the risk factors for gestational diabetes or if you develop symptoms during pregnancy (such as excessive thirst or urination), be sure to talk to your doctor so that you can be tested as soon as possible. With proper management, Gestational Diabetes doesn’t have to cause any problems for you or your baby—so stay informed and stay healthy! Until next time.
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Sources
Hoffmann, David., (2017) Healthy Digestion, A Natural Approach to relieving Indigestion, Gas, Heartburn, constipation colitis, and more. (2272)552-570
Mary, Jane.,( July 23,2020) https://www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/pregnancy-complications/gestational-diabetes/long-term-implications-gestational-diabetes
