Gestational Diabetes 101

Written by Jane Brown

As obesity has become more widespread among Americans, so has diabetes. At the same time, the number of pregnant women who develop gestational diabetes has also increased, putting more babies at risk for the negative health effects associated with this condition.

According to recent studies, more than 60 percent of women who are of childbearing age are overweight, a huge jump from 20 years ago. Women who are overweight have a significantly increased risk factor for having gestational diabetes during their pregnancy. Also at a higher risk are women over the age of 25, and black, Latino, American Indian or Asian. Family history can also reveal risk factors, as women with a genetic predisposition toward diabetes are more likely to develop gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes is a form of diabetes that affects only pregnant women. It's similar to other types of diabetes in that it impacts how your body handles sugar, the body's main source of fuel. The condition can cause you to have high blood sugar levels, which are a minimal risk to you, but can have some severe health consequences for your unborn baby.

Gestational diabetes has relatively few symptoms and is usually detected in the course of routine pregnancy screening tests. The condition affects nearly 5 to 10 percent of all pregnant women. There's no specific cause for the condition, but many researchers believe that the hormones produced by the body during pregnancy increase the mother's resistance to insulin, resulting in impaired tolerance of glucose (sugar).

Gestational diabetes can pose a number of significant health risks to your unborn baby. The extra glucose in your system can cause your baby to produce extra insulin, resulting in the unborn child growing too large. This can be a problem because babies who are too big are often damaged in delivery, becoming wedged in the birth canal and suffering injuries as they are extracted.

Occasionally, babies of women with gestational diabetes are born with low blood sugar, meaning that the babies' insulin production is too high. This can be a significant health problem because it can lead to seizures. Frequent and prompt feedings and a glucose IV can help get the babies' blood sugar levels back up to normal.

Children of mothers with gestational diabetes also often suffer from respiratory problems, such as respiratory distress syndrome. Babies born with this condition may need help breathing until their lungs are more fully developed. Other health problems related to gestational diabetes include jaundice, a condition that occurs when the liver cannot process bilirubin, and developmental delays in walking and other motor skills.

Gestational diabetes mainly impacts children, but there are a few adverse health effects for mothers as well. Some pregnant women suffering from gestational diabetes suffer from preeclampsia, which can result in high blood pressure and significant threats to the health of the mother and baby. Women who develop gestational diabetes are also more at risk to develop type 2 diabetes later in life. Another health risk from gestational diabetes is urinary tract infections. Pregnant women who develop gestational diabetes are twice as likely to get urinary tract infections than those who don't develop the condition.

The best prevention against gestational diabetes is good health and fitness practices. You should try to eat foods that are low in fat and calories. Try to stick to thinks like fruits, vegetables and whole grains, but also remember to eat balanced meals with servings from each of the food groups. Exercise is another key component in preventing gestational diabetes in pregnant women. Women who exercise regularly are far less likely to develop gestational diabetes than those who don't. Try to incorporate at least 30 minutes of mild physical activity such as walking or swimming into your daily routine. Being in good shape prior to pregnancy is a good way to prevent gestational diabetes, so if you're planning to have a baby, take the time in your pre-pregnancy to adopt healthy eating and exercise habits and shed excess pounds.

If you're pregnant and develop gestational diabetes, don't panic. There are a number of good treatments for the condition that will allow you and your baby to resolve the issue and be safe. Close monitoring and collaborative work with your health care provider are the keys to treating this condition. If you're diagnosed with gestational diabetes, you'll probably be asked to check your blood sugar levels several times per day. You'll do this by taking a small blood sample with a lancet and placing it on a test strip in a blood glucose meter. Depending on your blood sugar, you'll probably be asked to adopt a healthier diet or to engage in some mild to moderate aerobic exercise. In serious cases, you may be treated with drugs such as glyburide or given insulin therapy.

Gestational diabetes is a cause for concern for pregnant women, but with early detection and proper treatment, it need not be a major worry.