Gestational Diabetes : This type of diabetes starts during pregnancy & goes away after child’s birth. It is believed that the hormones produced during pregnancy reduce a woman’s receptivity to insulin, leading to high blood sugar levels. Gestational diabetes affects between 1% to 3% of all pregnant women.
High blood sugar levels can be unhealthy for both mother & baby. If it isn’t treated , the baby may be more likely to have problems at birth. The baby may have a low blood sugar level , jaundice , & baby may weigh much more than normal. Gestational diabetes can also affect mother health. If baby is very large , mother may has a more difficult delivery or she may need a cesarean section.
Treatment of Gestational Diabetes : The main aim of gestational diabetes treatment should be to keep blood glucose levels equal to those of normal pregnant women. It needs a planned meal and scheduled physical activity, even blood glucose testing and insulin injections if required. If gestational diabetes is taken care off properly, reduces the risk of a cesarean section birth that high weight babies may require.
Even if the gestational diabetes goes away after the baby’s birth, it increases the risk for diabetes in next pregnancy and also later in life. That is why it is important that women should continue to exercise, watch their weight & eat a healthy diet after pregnancy. If they do these things, they may avoid diabetes in their latter life.
