When a pregnant woman develops diabetes, this is known as gestational diabetes. Unlike pre-existing diabetes, the pregnant woman who develops gestational diabetes did not have diabetes prior to the pregnancy.
About four percent of all pregnant women develop gestational diabetes. The cause of gestational diabetes is not completely understood, but it may have to do with hormones that help the baby develop but have a negative impact on the effectiveness of the mother's natural insulin in her body.
Since gestational diabetes occurs late in a pregnancy, it does not pose a risk of birth defects. The baby can be affected by increasing the baby's body mass which makes the baby susceptible to injury during birth.
Newborns whose mothers had gestational diabetes are at an increased risk for breathing problems. Newborns may also have very low blood glucose levels at birth and may be at risk for childhood obesity and type II diabetes in adulthood.
Timed blood tests and consuming a glucose solution are part of testing for gestational diabetes. Typically, blood sample is drawn at the beginning of the test and one hour after the pregnant woman drinks a glucose solution. More blood tests after longer periods of time may also be done.
A diabetic diet is used to treat gestational diabetes. The obstetrician is likely to have the pregnant woman with gestational diabetes meet with a dietitian who will design a diabetic diet.
The diabetic diet for gestational diabetes typically includes three meals and two snacks a day. The diabetic diet includes a variety of foods. The dietitian may give the pregnant woman in exchange list to use with the diabetic diet. The exchange list will have good suggestions and serving sizes for each of the food groups.
Multiple times a day, the pregnant woman with gestational diabetes will need to check her blood sugar levels. These readings are then reported to the doctor's office where they will be used to determine if the gestational diabetes is under control. If the gestational diabetes is not effectively managed with a diabetic diet, insulin injections may be necessary.
Women and newborns rarely have lasting effects from gestational diabetes after birth. The woman may have an increased risk of type II diabetes. The effects of gestational diabetes are usually minimal if it is properly managed.
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