Gestational Diabetes

For many people, the news of a baby on the way is cause for celebration.  Nine months seems like an eternity, because everyone is so anxious to meet this little person.  But, for some families, the days leading up to the birth can be very scary.  Pregnancy is not without risks, and some ladies develop complications that can be harmful for both her and the baby.   Because it is one of the most common concerns, many ladies and their families need an answer to the question:  what is gestational diabetes?

The Trigger

During pregnancy, generally around week 24, approximately 3-12% of women develop diabetes.  Even ladies that are extremely dedicated to eating healthy natural foods are diagnosed with the disease. Along with all the normal

Diabetes occurs when the body does not produce enough insulin, the chemical necessary to deal with the sugars in the blood.  As the baby grows, mom’s body is required to produce more insulin, to deal with all of the extra sugars needed to support her and the baby.

As studies into this health concern continue, it is also suggested that gestational diabetes is related to the placenta.  The hormones in pregnancy interfere with the production of insulin.  Then, before very long, the sugars build up in the blood and the mom becomes diabetic.

The Big Three    

Diabetes is a serious health problem that affects millions of people-pregnant or not.  To better understand gestational diabetes, it might help to have a view of the big three.  The most serious form is juvenile diabetes, also known as type I diabetes.  Youngsters diagnosed with diabetes simply have bodies that quit manufacturing insulin.  

Constant monitoring and regular shots are required to keep the body in balance.  To ignore the problem means death.  Unfortunately, as the years progress the disease takes quite a toll.  Individuals have a great risk of heart disease, loss of eyesight, circulation problems, and much more.

Type II diabetes is also known as adult onset diabetes.  While some people will have to learn how to self-medicate with insulin shots, many people can get the disease under control with a healthier diet and exercise.  Today, schools are also teaching the value of proper nutrition, hopefully to prevent some of the students from suffering this illness in the future.  So, it is a big problem in society today.

Gestational diabetes is different.  In most cases, the disease goes away after a baby is born.  But, like Type II diabetes, it can often be controlled by proper diet and exercise. Nevertheless, all 3 types of the disease have one major factor in common.  It is extremely important to follow the advice of a doctor very closely, monitor blood sugar levels, and do whatever treatment for diabetes is required for the rest of a lifetime, or until the birth of a child and insulin production returns to normal.

Testing for Gestational Diabetes

Because the disease does not usually manifest in pregnancy until at least 22 weeks, doctors schedule the test between then and 24 weeks of pregnancy.  Until this point, the baby is so small that a significant increase of insulin is not required.  But, as the baby begins to grow bigger and gain weight, he/she needs to be able to metabolize the nutrients provided by the mother.

Most women find the test a wee bit unpleasant.  It requires fasting through the night.  So, doctors generally schedule the test in the morning, so mom does not fade away from hunger.  Then, it is simply a matter of drinking a very thick and sugary orange drink.
Unfortunately, gingerly sipping the beverage is not permitted.  The entire amount needs to get into the body as quickly as possible, so sugar levels are high.  After waiting in the office for about an hour, the technicians take a blood sample and tests for the level of sugar still in the system.  If enough insulin is being produced to support both baby and mom, the sugar levels will be at an appropriate level.

However, if the sugar levels are still too high, the doctor will want to run another test in a few days.  If the bloodstream still contains too much sugar, mom will have to carefully follow the instructions for gestational diabetes until the end of the pregnancy, at least.  In the future, any subsequent pregnancies will have to be carefully monitored as high risk, because it is likely to happen again.

In short, gestational diabetes generally only lasts for the duration of the pregnancy.  But, it is dangerous for both mom and the baby.  Carefully following the advice of the doctor is essential.  It is a very serious disease that is potentially fatal.  Yet, it can be controlled, in most cases, by a change in diet and exercise.  So, for the health of the baby drink up that orange goo.