|
Q: What is gestational diabetes, and can it harm my baby?
A: Gestational diabetes occurs in up to 9% of pregnant women in the United States, according to the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. One suspected cause is the increase in hormones produced during this time, which can block the body’s ability to respond to insulin. Insulin helps glucose leave the bloodstream to convert into energy.
Glucose screening, a blood test to check for signs of gestational diabetes (high blood-glucose levels), may be done at 24–28 weeks in your pregnancy. Some women at higher risk of gestational diabetes are tested early in the first trimester.
Having gestational diabetes does not mean you were diabetic before pregnancy or will continue to be afterward. And the good news is that it can usually be controlled through exercise and a healthy diet low in simple sugars. In some situations, an oral medication or insulin may be prescribed.
Left unchecked, however, gestational diabetes could lead to low blood-glucose levels and breathing problems in your baby at birth and a risk of obesity later on.
Women with gestational diabetes are also more likely to develop preeclampsia (high blood pressure and a build-up of protein in the urine in during the second half of pregnancy). Preeclampsia can be life-threatening to both the expectant mom and baby, sometimes necessitating an early delivery. If you have gestational diabetes, be sure to talk with your healthcare provider about your preeclampsia risk.
Once your baby is born, it’s a good idea to continue to exercise and eat wisely, to decrease your risk of developing diabetes later in life.
| 