Get the Facts on Gestational Diabetes Mellitus
Gestational diabetes (also known as gestational diabetes mellitus, or GDM) is a condition which only affects pregnant women. It is a form of diabetes in which pregnant women that have never been previously diagnosed with actual diabetes exhibit high levels of blood glucose during pregnancy. Gestational diabetes affects anywhere from 3-10% of pregnancies, depending on the population that is being studied.
It is recommended that all pregnant women be screened for gestational diabetes during the 24th and 28th weeks of their pregnancy, since that is when it is typically diagnosed. Some of the risk factors associated with a higher chance of developing GDM include a previous diagnosis of gestational diabetes or pre diabetes, family history, the mother’s age (the risk of GDM increases significantly after age 35), ethnic background, having a prior child with above normal body weight, and whether or not she is a smoker. However, anywhere from 40-60% of women with GDM have no discernible risk factors at all, which is the main reason why screening for it in the 24th to 28th week of pregnancy is so highly recommended.
The symptoms of this form of diabetes include excessive thirst, extreme tiredness, increased frequency of urination, vomiting, nausea, yeast and bladder infections, and blurred vision. Since most of these symptoms are a normal part of pregnancy for many women, it’s critical that you be screened in order to detect the risks for your particular condition.
The main risks GDM poses to the baby are growth abnormalities, low blood sugar, jaundice, and chemical imbalances after birth. Infants that are born to mothers with GDM run the risk of being either too large or too small for their gestational age. When the baby is too large, it also increases the risks of complications occurring during delivery, whether that delivery is instrumental (i.e. a caesarean or forceps delivery) or natural.
Once a diagnosis of GDM has been reached, then close monitoring of the mother and the fetus should continue throughout the remainder of the pregnancy. The mother should be trained to monitor her own blood glucose levels in order to help ensure that it remains at what are considered normal limits. Maintaining normal levels of blood glucose during pregnancy will help ensure the health and well-being of the fetus.
Diabetes is a severe medical condition which can create devastating health problems and can even be fatal. In many situations, it can be managed by making alterations to your diet. If you’re looking for a diabetic weight loss diet or other tips on managing the condition, check out the Diabetes Treatment site.
