by Anai Rhoads
Gestational diabetes usually becomes apparent during the 24th to 28th weeks of pregnancy. In many cases, the blood glucose level returns to normal after delivery. It is recommended that all pregnant women be screened for gestational diabetes during the 24th and 28th weeks of their pregnancy.
The infant born to a woman with gestational diabetes may have an increased birth weight, low blood glucose levels during the early newborn period, and high bilirubin levels.
The risk factors for gestational diabetes are:
- Maternal age over 35 years
- Family history of diabetes
- Obesity
- A previous pregnancy where the baby's birth weight was over 9 pounds
- An unexplained death in a previous newborn or infant
- A congenital malformation in previous infant
- Recurrent infections
How can I prevent it?
An awareness of risk factors and prenatal screening at 26 to 28 weeks of pregnancy will lead to early detection of gestational diabetes.
What are the symptoms I should look out for?
The most common symptoms of diabetes are the following:
- Increased thirst
- Increased urination
- Weight loss in spite of increased appetite
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Frequent infections including bladder, vaginal
- Sores or cuts that won't heal on your skin
- Blurred vision
What tests will my doctor give me?
Your doctor will offer you an oral glucose tolerance test between the 24th and 28th weeks of pregnancy.
What is the treatment for diabetes?
You will need to maintain blood glucose levels within normal limits during the duration of the pregnancy. Close monitoring of you and your baby should continue throughout the pregnancy. Self-monitoring of blood glucose levels will allow you to participate in your own care. Self-blood glucose monitoring is required for effective treatment with insulin.
What can happen to me or my baby?
That is hard to predict, but here is a list of possibilities:
- Illness in the newborn
- Low blood glucose
- Increased incidence of newborn deaths
- Development of diabetes later in life
Anai Rhoads is a medical and political researcher/writer with a particular interest in the sanctions on Iraq and the wider effect of racism's influence in the Middle East. A vegan since 2000, she is a dedicated supporter of activities which promote animal and human rights. Originally from Greece, she now resides in Virginia, USA with her husband and their two dogs, Bijou and Eva.
Copyright © Anai Rhoads. Permission to publish granted to Pregnancy.org, LLC.
