Diabetes may be developed at the time or during pregnancy in a woman who does pursue diabetes previously. This is called gestational diabetes, which affects 2-3 percent of pregnant women. If it is not monitored properly, it can lead to complications for the mother or even her baby. Pregnancy is most special time period in any woman’s life. It is period of great joy and enthusiasm, but also the time of anxiety and different questions occurs in mind such as: How will I deal with the pregnancy? With the pain in labor and delivery? Will my baby be alright? These questions may be even more difficult for women with diabetes. Having children is a big decision for anyone among us. If you are a woman who has a history of diabetes, however, it is a decision that requires much more thought, precautions and careful planning. Many women who have diabetes whether it is Type 1, Type 2 or Gestational diabetes have delivered healthy babies.
What Exactly Is It ?
Gestational Diabetes occurs when the pregnant woman’s body is not able to produce or create enough of the hormone insulin. This refers that her body is not able to break down the sugar that she consumes and not able to convert it into energy. Therefore her blood sugar levels raises high and this will be passed on to the baby, which can cause severe problems.
Who Can Be Affected?
The pregnant women who is most likely to be affected will fit the under mentioned criteria;
Overweighed
Age above 35
History of diabetes in family
Previously delivered large baby
Previously given birth to a baby with an malfunction or defect
Undergone abortion in late pregnancy
Symptoms of gestational diabetes:
One of the troubles of gestational diabetes is that it does not marked itself with clear symptoms. The symptoms are common to high blood sugar, thirst, frequent urination, hunger as it sometimes occur, but all of them are common in the latter stages of pregnancy.
Going for baby is a big decision for anyone. If you are a woman who has diabetes, however, it is a decision that requires much more thoughts, precautions, and planning. Many women who have diabetes (Type 1, Type 2 and Gestational diabetes) have healthy pregnancies and healthy and fit babies. But this does not mean that they achieved good result very easily, it requires a lot of efforts and dedication from your side.
Whether Am I at risk of developing gestational diabetes?
If you have one or more of the under mentioned factors you are more likely to develop gestational diabetes:
Perusing a family history of diabetes in a relative such as parent, brother or sister.
If you had gestational diabetes in a previous pregnancy.
If the previous baby had a birth defect or some malfunction.