Gestational Diabetes

This diabetes usually develop in the pregnancy period and more common in women over age 30, who are overweight and those who have a family history of diabetes. Gestational diabetes is caused by the inability of the tissues to absorb glucose from the bloodstream during pregnancy due to a lack of the hormone insulin. 

Gestational diabetes can be controlled by a special diet and in almost all cases, it will disappear soon after the birth of the child however women who have had it are at increased risk of developing type II diabetes in later life. If it is not controlled, the fetus may gain excessive amount of weight. Delivery may be more difficult because of the large size of the baby and forceps may be needed and the risk of stillbirth is greater. Despite this, most diabetic women deliver vaginally and successfully. New born babies are also at risk of having low blood sugar levels at birth. 

Symptoms of the Gestational diabetes are fatigue, increased thirst and appetite and passing large amounts of urine.  A diabetic mother may be more prone to urinary tract and other infections, thrush, high blood pressure, pre-eclampsia, hydramnios (excess amniotic fluid) and Eclampsia  (Eclampsia is an acute life threatening condition of both mother and fetus, characterised by convulsions, coma, hypertension etc). But many women with the Gestational diabetes do not develop symptoms. 

Treatment Diabetic women who are pregnant need careful monitoring to keep a close check on their condition and they are normally considered a high risk pregnancy. Good control of the diabetes by a modified diet which includes less sugar than normal and greater amounts of fiber and starchy carbohydrates during the first Trimester of pregnancy greatly lowers the risk of abnormalities in the baby. Some women also need insulin injections. Blood sugar level must be checked at least once every 2 weeks.