Gestational Diabetes Causes - Treatment And Symptoms

Gestational Diabetes Causes

What Does Gestational Diabetes Mean? 

We all hear that pregnancy is a time when a woman needs to take utmost precautions to keep herself healthy. It’s a phase where the mother’s health can directly affect the growing baby in her womb. 

Gestational diabetes is one such condition that if neglected can harm both the mother and child. Going with global data approximately 1 in 6 births was affected by gestational diabetes (IDF, 2019).

Understanding the Gestational Diabetes Causes (GDM)

Gestational diabetes is defined as the increase in blood sugar levels in a pregnant female. Unlike type 1 diabetes, gestational diabetes is not brought on by a deficiency in insulin, but rather by the hormones produced while pregnant that may reduce the effectiveness of insulin in the mother’s body, a condition known as insulin resistance. 

After birth, gestational diabetes symptoms go away, but a woman is left at risk of diabetes later in her life.

The fact is yet unknown to as how exactly GDM develops, the most popular theory remains with the hormones that the placenta develops.

While in the womb, the baby receives nutrition and water for its development from the placenta. The placenta is also responsible for the production of several hormones to keep the pregnancy going. 

Estrogen, cortisol, and human placental lactogen are a few such hormones that can impede the action of insulin. This is known as the ‘contra-insulin effect’, which usually starts between weeks 20 and 24 of pregnancy.

The chances of developing insulin resistance increase as the pregnancy proceeds as the placenta develop further, and these hormones are produced during that period. 

In normal circumstances, the pancreas usually produces extra insulin to deal with insulin resistance, but gestational diabetes develops when there is insufficient insulin produced to counteract the impact of the placental hormones.

Why GDM needs to be taken seriously!

Being pregnant & having GDM increases your risk of having high blood pressure. Additionally, it may raise your chance of delivering a large baby, a condition called macrosomia that usually requires a cesarean delivery (C-section).

Effects of Gestational Diabetes Causes on Baby:

• Macrosomia- The fetus accumulates fat deposits as a result of the mother's high blood glucose levels and the fetus's high insulin levels, which lead the fetus to grow overly large, which can make delivery more challenging.

• Pre-Term birth can lead to breathing and other issues in babies.

• Hypoglycemia post birth

• Risk of type 2 diabetes later in life

Once the baby is delivered, your blood sugar levels often return to normal. However, type 2 diabetes develops in roughly 50% of pregnant women with gestational diabetes in the future. By regaining healthy body weight after birth, you can reduce your risk.

Diagnosis of GDM and the way forward

• The best way to know the risk of developing GDM is by getting a screening done pre-pregnancy to assess any undiagnosed Diabetes Mellitus in females.

• It is suggested to get GDM testing done during 24 to 28 weeks of gestation, on pregnant women who are not known to have diabetes.

• Women diagnosed with GDM should be checked for Diabetes after 6 to 12 weeks of pregnancy to check for any early onset cases.

• Additionally, women with a history of GDM should be vigilant throughout their life and go for screenings to detect any diabetes or prediabetes conditions a frequency of at least once every three years.

Treating GDM

The goal of treatment is to maintain normal blood glucose (blood sugar) levels. It may also involve frequent physical activity and meal programs designed to keep the sugar intake on the lower end. Additionally, it might entail medication as decided by your doctor and routine blood glucose checks.

The ideal range for Blood Sugar Levels during Pregnancy:

• Before Meal- >95 mg/dl

• One Hour Post Meal: 140 mg/dl or less

• Two-Hour Post Meal: 120 mg/dl or less

What else you need to keep in mind:

1. Health Diet: Eating nutritious food in the right amounts and timely is the first rule. Observe a diet recommended by your doctor or nutritionist.

2. Being active: Regular moderate-intensity exercises, like brisk walking or yoga (as per your doctor’s suggestion) can help in regulating blood glucose levels. Always consult your doctor before engaging in any physical activity to see if there are any activities you should avoid.

3. Regular check-ups: Your doctor will assess the growth and development of your child and suggest tests at regular intervals.

In cases where the above measures don’t help in regulating blood glucose levels, the doctor may recommend medication.

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