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It is common for pregnant women to develop gestational diabetes, what are the reasons for its occurrence? And what are its complications? Here are the most important information and more in the article.

Many women develop diabetes during pregnancy, which is known as gestational diabetes, so what should a pregnant woman know about this health problem? Details are in the following:

What is gestational diabetes?

It is one of the types of diabetes that occurs during pregnancy, and this disease usually does not continue after childbirth, but blood glucose levels may rise in some women after that.

It is diagnosed when higher than normal levels of glucose appear in the blood for the first time during pregnancy, and this usually occurs in the 24-28 week of pregnancy. pre-existing diabetes.

This test should also be done early in pregnancy for women who have risk factors for diabetes.

What are the symptoms of gestational diabetes?

Gestational diabetes rarely causes any symptoms, and if it does cause some symptoms, they will be mild and may include:

Exhaustion and fatigue.

Blurred vision.

extreme thirst

Excessive need to urinate.

What are the causes of gestational diabetes?

During pregnancy, the placenta produces hormones that help the baby to grow and develop. These hormones also prevent the action of insulin in a pregnant woman, which is called insulin resistance.

Because of this insulin resistance, the need for insulin in pregnancy becomes 2-3 times higher than normal. If a pregnant woman is already suffering from insulin resistance, her body may not be able to handle the extra demand for insulin production and blood glucose levels will rise leading to her being diagnosed with gestational diabetes.

Blood glucose levels usually return to normal after birth, but this insulin resistance may increase your risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.

What factors increase the risk of infection?

Some women are more likely to develop diabetes during pregnancy if one or more of the following factors apply to them:

They have high blood pressure.

Have a family history of diabetes.

They are overweight.

Gain more weight than usual during pregnancy.

They conceived twins.

They have previously given birth to a large child, i.e. weighing more than 4.5 kilograms.

have had gestational diabetes in the past.

Have suffered an unexplained miscarriage or stillbirth.

They used cortisone.

I have polycystic ovary syndrome.

What is the normal sugar level for a pregnant woman?

When the specialist doctor asks to check the cumulative sugar, the laboratory will ask the pregnant woman to drink a solution that contains a certain amount of sugar, and he will check her blood sugar twice, the first after an hour from the time of drinking the solution, and the second after two hours.

The normal levels of sugar in the blood of a pregnant woman are as follows

An empty stomach glucose test (fasting glucose) less than or equal to 95 mg/dL.

After the first hour, your blood sugar level is less than or equal to 130 mg/dL.

Your blood sugar level after two hours is equal to or less than 130 mg/dL.

What are the complications of diabetes during pregnancy?

While the mother''s blood glucose levels usually return to normal after delivery, there is an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the future.

The child may also be at risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life. Here are other complications:

1. Complications that may affect the child

The child''s risk increases with

Weight gain at birth.

Premature birth (prematurity).

severe breathing difficulties

Low blood sugar in the child, and may cause epileptic seizures in the child.

Obesity and type 2 diabetes in later life.

Possibility of stillbirth.

2. Complications that may affect the pregnant woman

The mother''s chances of infection increase with the following

High blood pressure and preeclampsia.

The need for surgery (caesarean section).

diabetes in the future.

Tips for preventing gestational diabetes

Here are some tips to help prevent gestational diabetes

Visit the doctor and communicate with him to take appropriate measures to avoid and early detection of gestational diabetes.

Follow a healthy diet and consult a nutritionist who specializes in this matter.

Take the medications prescribed by the specialist doctor and follow his instructions regarding them.

Monitor sugar levels on a regular basis.

Treating low blood sugar levels.