Pregnancy is a very delicate phase and any untoward medical development during this phase can pose serious threats to both mother and fetus. Developing diabetes during pregnancy is rather common and gestational diabetes symptoms are evident by 20-24 weeks of pregnancy. The following is an overview of this disorder, including the causes, complications, and treatments available. Any specific questions should be discussed with your physician.

Causes of Gestational Diabetes

• While the cause of Diabetes in non-gestational cases is due to inadequate production of Insulin; gestational diabetes symptoms develop due to Insulin resistance.
• Insulin resistance indicates that the blood sugar (glucose) levels are no more responsive to Insulin.
• This Insulin resistance is to some extent caused by the pregnancy hormones like progesterone, prolactin, estrogen, cortisol and prolactin
• In women with gestational diabetes, the pancreas is no more capable of producing extra Insulin to override this Insulin resistance; thus leading to development of gestational diabetes symptoms.

What increases your risk to develop gestational diabetes?

• Obesity- Excessive weight is by far the foremost risk factor.
• Previous history of developing diabetes during gestational period
• A Familial tendency to develop Diabetes
• Past history of stillbirth or having given birth to a baby with intrauterine birth defects
• Previous history of delivering an abnormally huge baby; for instance weight of newborn baby is well over 9 pounds.
• Concomitant hypertension during pregnancy
• Having unusually large amounts of amniotic fluid

What are the symptoms observed?

• The usual diabetic trio of excessive thirst, excessive urination and excessive sweat is the common clinical picture in all women with gestational diabetes.
• There is a tendency to develop repeated infections of the vagina and vulva, and is usually fungal in nature. The fungal infections may arise elsewhere too like on skin or throat.
• The weight gain during pregnancy is beyond the expected levels.

What are the common complications of diabetes in pregnancy?

• The baby may be born with excessive weight and is often beyond 9 pounds of weight.
• The baby can present with low blood sugar as soon as it is born.
• The baby may present with jaundice at birth
• There is a high possibility of the baby suffering from respiratory distress syndrome at birth.
• There is high risk of stillbirth and the baby dies within the uterus after about 28 weeks of gestation
• The baby can die in early infancy

What is the treatment protocol for diabetes in pregnancy?

• The first aim is to regulate the diet, and the woman will need to consume a diabetic diet.
• The foodstuffs that are recommended are whole grains, complex carbs, fish, fruits and vegetables
• The importance of doing regular exercise cannot be overlooked at all. It is best to consult your doctor regarding the safety of doing exercises, and he or she will recommend a regular exercise schedule for you.
• Maintaining a healthy pregnancy weight is necessary and dietary and workout measures will both be aimed at getting to the ideal weight according to the phase of pregnancy.

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