Gestational Diabetes- Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, And Prevention

Published On - June 3, 2022

Gestational Diabetes is a type of diabetes that affects the mother during gestation or pregnancy. It results in elevated blood sugar levels for the mother and increases the chance of preterm birth. It can also lead to other complications for the baby.

If you are diagnosed with this condition, you will need treatment at the earliest, to have a healthy pregnancy and to keep your baby safe.

Symptoms:

Symptoms that are most common for gestational diabetes are:

1. You feel thirsty a lot and experience the need to urinate frequently.
2. A test leads to the detection of sugar in your urine.
3. You are fatigued or vomiting.
4. You experience blurred vision.
5. You may have a vaginal infection, or any other bladder or skin infections.

Since all these symptoms are common during pregnancy, you may not suspect you have gestational diabetes, until it is a little too late. So, consult your doctor if you experience any or all of the above symptoms. Alternatively, if you are looking for the best gynecologist surgeon in Kolkata to get a test to determine if you have gestational diabetes, browse online. It is better to be sure than to regret it later.

Causes:

When hormones released from the placenta, block the insulin produced by the pancreas, it prevents the body from effectively regulating the sugar in the blood. This leads to elevated sugar levels for the mother and eventually results in gestational diabetes.

This condition can cause severe damage to blood vessels, nerves, and other organs of your body.

Recommended Read: Uterine Fibroids: All You Need to Know

What causes increased risk?

1. Obesity: Women with a BMI greater than 30, are at a higher risk for gestational diabetes.
2. Abdominal Fat: If you have a lot of fat in the abdominal region, you are at a higher risk of developing gestational diabetes, especially during the first trimester.
3. Family History: If diabetes is prevalent in your family, the chances of you developing gestational diabetes, are quite high.

Moreover, if you had developed this condition during your previous pregnancy, it is possible to get it the next time too.

Age: Women who fall in the 30-35 years category, are at a higher risk of developing gestational diabetes.
If you are bedridden, had been diagnosed with high sugar levels before conception, are pregnant with twins/ more than two babies, or have any other existing medical conditions like hypertension, PCOS, etc., you are at a higher risk of developing this condition. So, make sure to get tested for gestational diabetes at a reputed clinic, at the earliest.

If you are looking for the best gynecologist doctor in South Kolkata for a checkup, and know that you have one or more of the above-mentioned conditions, ask for a test to determine if you have gestational diabetes or not. That way you will be able to treat it earlier and ensure that you and your baby are safe.

Treatment:

Gestational diabetes can lead to complications during delivery, hypoglycemia for the baby, and several other complications for you and your baby. So, it is important to control and treat this condition at the earliest. Possible treatment options include:

1. Monitoring your blood glucose levels.
2. Changing your lifestyle and regulating your diet.
3. Medications, if it is necessary, and only on the advice of your doctor.

Prevention:

You can prevent this condition by following a healthy diet, being active, and maintaining a healthy BMI.

Our sedentary lifestyle, coupled with stress and a bad diet has made gestational diabetes quite prevalent. However, some simple steps and regular check-ups by a qualified practitioner can help you be disease-free and have a healthy pregnancy.