Gestational diabetes is a health conditions that affect how your body cell synthesize glucose in the blood. This condition can increase the levels of blood sugar in your body, putting your child’s health at risk. In some cases, gestational diabetes can cause a miscarriage.
There are no distinct signs and symptoms of gestational diabetes. Nevertheless, increased thirst periods and frequent urination are a likely indicator of gestational diabetes.
As such, medical experts recommend seeking immediate medical attention as well as having your blood sugar tested before getting pregnant to determine your risk exposure to gestational diabetes.
This article will give you a complete overview on gestational diabetes; we will discuss the factors that put you at risk of developing gestational diabetes, the effects of gestational diabetes, and also suggest some of the measures you can take to reduce your chances of developing gestational diabetes.
What are the Risk Factors of Gestational Diabetes?
Gestational diabetes risk factors are the pre-existing conditions that you may have that contribute to the development of diabetes during pregnancy. Some of these gestational diabetes risk factors include:
- Excess Weight
An obese mother is at a higher risk of developing diabetes, which may worsen after pregnancy.
As such, it would be best to lose some weight and participate in physical activities to enhance glucose synthesis.
- Previous Gestational diabetes
Gestational diabetes during a previous pregnancy increases your risk exposure in your next pregnancy.
Thus, it would be best to visit Michigan endocrine consultants for examination and determination of your risk exposure before getting pregnant again.
- Genetic Inheritance
You should get tested and monitored throughout your gestation period if you come from a family with a history of diabetes. This step will help minimize the risk of developing gestational diabetes.
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Ovarian cysts and other complications often affect the hormonal balance in a woman’s body.
Intrinsically, polycystic ovary syndrome may reduce your body’s glucose synthesis, increasing your chances of getting diabetes during diabetes.
What are the Effects of Gestational Diabetes?
Gestational diabetes puts you and your unborn child at significant health risk if not properly managed.
Essentially, gestational diabetes can cause high blood sugar, which may cause severe complications during child delivery.
Some other health complications associated with gestational diabetes include:
- Preterm Birth
Carrying a pregnancy after developing gestational diabetes becomes riskier as you approach your due dates.
Primarily, you may experience early labor due to high blood sugar. Your doctor can also recommend early childbirth through a C-section due to the child’s increased weight, which may put your life at risk.
- Excess Child Weight
The most common effect of gestational diabetes is causing excess growth in your child. In general, high blood sugar levels in a mother’s body can cause a baby to grow to more than 8 pounds, which makes it extremely difficult to have a normal delivery during childbirth, necessitating a C-section surgery.
- Hypoglycemia
Your baby may develop seizures shortly after birth due to low-blood sugar. The doctors will inject insulin shots directly into the baby’s bloodstream to restore normal blood sugar levels. Immediate feeding is also a viable option to help boost the baby’s blood sugar.
- Stillbirth
Gestational diabetes requires significant monitoring as it may lead to the death of your unborn child or a shortly after birth.
- Preeclampsia
You are at a greater risk of developing high blood pressure if you do not seek medical attention for gestational diabetes.
Preeclampsia may have life-threatening complications not only on the mother, but also on your unborn child.
How Can You Reduce Your Chances of Developing Gestational diabetes?
Gestational diabetes cannot be prevented entirely, since it is caused by a variety of factors. However, there are some lifestyle adjustments you can observe to help reduce your chances of developing diabetes during pregnancy.
You can eat healthier foods. Intrinsically, include low-fat, fiber-rich foods in your diet. Additionally, your diet should comprise fruits and vegetables. Furthermore, replenish your body with plenty of water.
You also need to keep fit and regulate your body weight. Basically, regular exercise before, during, and after pregnancy can help reduce your chances of developing gestational diabetes. You can jog, walk, and ride to help burn excess calories and increase blood circulation.
Finally, regular checkups before and during your gestation period help monitor your health and that of your unborn child.
Conclusion
Gestational diabetes can cause significant health complications for you and your baby. Make a point of visiting your endocrine consultants before, and during your pregnancy period.
