Diabetes And Pregnancy
Diabetes in pregnancy can be very risky for mothers during and even after delivery. The blood glucose levels of pregnant women become higher than usual. Even if women have no diabetes before, they have a tendency to be diagnosed with gestational diabetes during pregnancy. This disease will not only affect the pregnant woman but the unborn baby as well if not treated.
Gestational diabetes is seen as a the body’s resistance to insulin. The body is unable to use insulin which is necessary in maintaining normal blood sugar levels. This means that the body is resistant against the usual levels of insulin and needs more to be able to perform its functions. This type of diabetes is similar to the Type 2 Diabetes or non-insulin dependent diabetes.
Some women develop gestational diabetes while pregnant while some others don’t. It is found that during pregnancy, the placenta releases hormones that trigger the body’s potential to deal with insulin. These hormones are needed for the growth of the baby and yet are responsible for the inaction of insulin in the body.
Gestational diabetes can affect the baby. The sugar levels within the blood are higher than normal. The excess glucose goes to the placenta and also to the baby. The baby’s pancreas will attempt to produce insulin and in the long run, may not be able to function normally using the high sugar levels.
Macrosomia or excessive birth weight is among the effects of too much glucose within the baby. Delivery is usually very hard such as the possibility of a cesarean section delivery and shoulder dystocia. Hypoglycemia or low blood sugar will also result with the excess of insulin. The child may have seizures.
Women may have preeclampsia or the sudden increase of blood pressure during delivery and may lead to death. The excessive protein within the urine will eventually result to urinary tract infections.
When left unchecked and untreated, gestational diabetes will build up into type 2 diabetes in both moms and babies.
Gestational diabetes is diagnosed for pregnant women after 24 to 28 weeks of pregnancy through a glucose challenge test. After birth it’s also advisable to have the blood glucose levels checked once more. Click http://diabetespregnancy.org/ for information.