Causes and symptoms of Gestational Diabetes

Pregnancy and birth is a beautiful and transforming experience. When you discover about your pregnancy a whirlwind of emotions and feelings come to your way running. You might also feel your head spinning with lots of thoughts, question, tensions and worries and also a bunch of happiness. Pregnancy is all about changes and growth of the baby and mother. You may experience some complications during your gestational period like gestational diabetes etc.

What Actually Is Gestational Diabetes?

Gestational diabetes is a condition in which the blood sugar level of the mother rises during pregnancy. It is kind of diabetes which occur in pregnant women. It is diagnosed the very first time during the pregnancy. There are other types of diabetes too but this affects how your cells utilize glucose. It causes increases in level of blood sugar and can negatively affect your fetus’ health. All the expecting women are tested for gestational diabetes at some point in their pregnancies.

Some Major Causes of Gestational Diabetes:

Gestational diabetes rises because of the hormonal and other changes that mother’s body undergoes. Insulin is a hormone which is made in one of the glands of our body called pancreas. Insulin let the body to productively metabolize glucose for further use as energy. When level of insulin reduces the body became unable to use insulin efficiently and so the blood sugar level rises also called hyperglycemia. It can also damage body organ, blood vessels and nerves.

Many researchers and doctors do not know yet why some of the women get gestational diabetes and others don’t.

Risk Factors of Gestational Diabetes:

Some extent of insulin resistance is fine in late pregnancy but in some women it is enough to cause gestational diabetes. These are some factors which increases the risk of diabetes in pregnancy.

1. You are overweight or obese
2. Less physical activity
3. History of gestational diabetes
4. Any sibling or parent with diabetes type 2
5. A personal history of PCOS
6. Having prediabetes
7. Race issues – women who are black, American Indian or Asian American have major risk of facing gestational diabetes.

Symptoms of Gestational Diabetes:

Many women suffering from pregnancy diabetes or gestational diabetes may have no symptoms at all. Some might have a few symptoms which are listed below.

• Unusual Thirst:

It means you are thirstier than usual.

• Repeated Urination:

You will feel the urge to urinate more than usual and frequently.

• Increase In Appetite:

You will feel hungrier than usual.

• Fatigue:

This sign may be difficult to identify because fatigue is common in pregnancy.

• Sugar in Urine:

This is identified by a test done by your doctor.

• Nausea:

You may feel nauseous if you have gestational diabetes.

• Various Skin, Bladder And Vaginal Infections:

In pregnancy diabetes or gestational diabetes you may suffer from frequent infections.

• Unclear Blurry Vision:

High blood pressure gives the signals for high blood sugar level.

Effect of Gestational Diabetes on Your Baby:

This is small list of problems that can occur in your baby due to gestational diabetes.

1. Your baby might have a huge risk of having jaundice.
2. Major chances of having respiratory distress syndrome (RDS).
3. Greater chance of dying before the birth or following birth.

It cannot be always prevented in majority of cases it can be cured. You should adopt more healthy habits before pregnancy and it will result in your favor. Above are some major causes and symptoms of gestational diabetes. In case of any doubt or confusion ring on your health provider or doctor right away.