Gestational Diabetes

Do you know exactly what it is and how it occurs?

There are several issues that can occur during pregnancy. One of them is called Gestational Diabetes. It occurs when a hormone that the placenta produces, called progesterone, alters the way insulin functions in the body. You may already know that insulin is responsible for bringing glucose to the cells of your body, however, if there is a malfunction with insulin production and circulation, for various reasons, then blood glucose levels become dangerously high. When this happens a pregnant individual is diagnosed with gestational diabetes.
If this condition is not controlled it can develop further into a condition called macrosomia. With macrosomia, babies can grow disproportionately large. Adding to this, other complications for the baby can arise, namely:
- Baby being to big to be born vaginally (Cephalopelvic disproportion)
- Hypoglycemia
- Low calcium and magnesium levels
- Too many red blood cells (Polycythemia - mild or severe)
- Jaundice
- Breathing difficulty

If you are diagnosed with gestational diabetes, it is advised to seek or request close monitoring from your doctor or physician. You may also have to get clearance from your doctor in order to participate in vigorous or mild physical activity, depending on the severity of your gestational diabetes. The reason for this is because although exercise increases glucose uptake and can often alleviate some of the symptoms of gestational diabetes, your doctor will be able to tell you how much you should be doing in order to be safe during your pregnancy.