Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that develops during pregnancy and affects how the body processes sugar and carbohydrates. While gestational diabetes can be a challenging condition to deal with, understanding its cause, symptoms, and management can help expectant mothers navigate this challenge with confidence.
What Is Gestational Diabetes?
First and foremost, it is important to know what gestational diabetes is and how it differs from the usual type of diabetes we often hear about.
Diabetes occurs when the body becomes fully or partially resistant to insulin. Insulin is a hormone that regulates the uptake of sugar into the cells. When the body does not respond appropriately to its presence, blood sugar levels can rise to harmful levels.
In gestational diabetes, hormones made by the placenta prevent the body from using insulin effectively. These hormones make insulin less efficient, and as a result, there is a build-up of glucose in the blood. This rise in glucose and blood sugar levels can harm both mother and baby. So, the goal of managing gestational diabetes is to help keep these blood sugar levels low and at a normal value.
Risk Factors for Gestational Diabetes
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests that every year, 2% to 10% of pregnancies in the United States are affected by gestational diabetes. Several factors can increase the risk of developing gestational diabetes, including:
- Being Overweight – Women who are overweight before pregnancy are at a higher risk of developing gestational diabetes.
- Family History – Having a family history of diabetes, particularly in close relatives such as parents or siblings, can increase the risk of gestational diabetes.
- Age – Women over the age of 25, particularly those over 35, are more likely to develop gestational diabetes.
- Previous Gestational Diabetes – Women who have had gestational diabetes in a previous pregnancy are at an increased risk of developing it again in subsequent pregnancies.
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) – Women with PCOS, a hormonal disorder, have an increased risk of developing gestational diabetes.
- Ethnicity – Certain ethnic groups, including African American, Hispanic, Native American, and Asian American women, have a higher prevalence of gestational diabetes.
