Gestational Diabetes
Because of natural hormone changes during pregnancy, most women go through an increase in glucose levels. This is typically a good thing and never high enough to cause diabetes or health issues. During the third trimester, increased hormone production in the placenta are the most likely to cause Gestational Diabetes. Some of these hormones are designed to increase nutrient transfer from mother to the baby. Other hormones involved with this new stage of development are designed to adjust blood sugar levels because the mother is passing more to the baby. This typically involves raising the levels and why there is an increased risk for Gestational Diabetes at this later stage of pregnancy.
At this time, the mother is producing three times the normal amount of insulin to make up for the increased blood glucose levels. With this increase, causes the pancreas to work that much harder. If the pancreas fails to keep up with the hormone induced blood glucose (sugar) levels, those levels raise continually until she falls under the category of Gestational Diabetes.
Complications of Gestational Diabetes
Besides the typical complications of diabetes to the mother, Gestational Diabetes has a significant impact on the developing baby. This can result in excessive nutrients to the baby, causing the need for a cesarean. If a normal birth is chosen, trauma can be caused to the baby, especially to the shoulders. Also, very low blood glucose (sugar) levels are found after birth because the baby no longer gets the high levels it received from the mother. This can possibly be a lifelong complication. If the mothers blood glucose levels are high in the early stages of pregnancy, there is an increase in birth defects and miscarriage. These birth defects many times are major, effecting the heart and brain.
Symptoms of Gestational Diabetes
The symptoms of Gestational Diabetes are very similar to other forms of diabetes and maybe less obvious. This is because changes are already occurring to the mother that it can seem normal. Changes include; increased thirst, increased urination, infections, fatigue, blurry vision, and nausea. At higher levels there can be vomiting and weight loss even with increased food intake. This is why it is always good to continue standard doctor visits and to inform your health care providers of any changes that might look like any of these symptoms. This involves testing of your blood glucose levels in what is called a glucose screening or glucose challenge test (GCT). This is typically between twenty-four and twenty eight weeks of pregnancy. If you fail this test, don't be alarmed, you will have to take another test called a glucose tolerance test (GTT) that is more accurate. This test will tell if you have Gestational Diabetes. There are other tests and procedures to find if you have Gestational Diabetes. Sometimes your doctor might ask you to test sooner if he find other reasons to show concern.
Treatment and Expectations
Treatments of Gestational Diabetes are focused foremost on natural ways to get the blood glucose (sugar) levels to an acceptable level and balanced. The healthiest way to do this is through diet, exercise and blood glucose testing on a daily basis with a glucose meter. We will get more into diet later, but this consists more natural foods with a reduction in sugars and processed foods. As for exercise, it is always good to seek the advice of your health care provider. It beneficial to do some exercising and to keep active while pregnant and we will also get into this topic in more details throughout our articles. As a way to gauge your level of blood glucose, it is a good choice to use a glucose meter kit. With a very fine point, you can take blood samples in a relatively pain free test. Because the Glucose Meter and Test Strips require such a small sample, they are able to make the lancets much thinner than needles and other devices for drawing blood. Once you get past the first test, it is always easier the next time once you realize how little pain is involved.
Gestational Diabetes Prevention
Preventing Gestational Diabetes is very similar to treatment, it involves a healthier lifestyle. This includes a more natural diet, cutting out foods with sugar and sugar like fillers. Better choices include unprocessed complex carbohydrates that take longer to absorb. They essentially work like "time-release" vitamins, placing less burden on your pancreas and other players of the blood glucose process. Exercise is also a good preventative if approved by your health care provider as exercise burns blood glucose along with it's other valuable benefits.
Stress-Free Pregnancy
The last thing I want to leave you with is be stress free! While pregnant, your body is open to all sorts of health related issues if you are under stress. Using tools to keep positive and upbeat about your situation is highly recommended and will benefit not only you, but your baby.