Gestational diabetes is a common pregnancy issue, affecting 18% of pregnancies.[1]Similar to Type 1 and 2 diabetes, this form of diabetes causes high blood sugar levels. Fortunately, with the help of a gestational diabetes glucose test, you can prevent serious health complications in you and your baby.
Gestational Diabetes
Although the exact cause of gestational diabetes is unknown, physicians believe pregnancy hormones affect how the body responds to insulin. Similar to Type 2 diabetics, women with gestational diabetes are insulin resistant. This means that they cannot properly use insulin, causing blood sugar to rise. Gestational diabetes most commonly affects women over the age of 25 and within their 24th to 28th week of pregnancy. Symptoms include excessive thirst, fatigue, frequent urination, and impaired vision; however, women may not experience any symptoms. To ensure the health of you and your baby, you need to receive a gestational diabetes glucose test within your 24th to 28th week.
Gestational Diabetes Glucose Test
The gestational diabetes glucose test is sometimes referred to as an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). In order to receive an accurate reading, it's important to eat a balanced meal prior to an 8 hour fast. Following fasting, your doctor will take a blood sample before asking you to consume a sugary beverage. Over the next few hours, the doctor will draw more blood to examine your glucose metabolism. If your blood sugar remains high for more than 2 hours, you may have gestational diabetes. To confirm a diagnosis, you must receive a high reading on another gestational diabetes glucose test on a different day. Fortunately, with the help of diagnostic tests, you can improve your health and reduce your baby's risk for serious complications.
Gestational Diabetes and Your Baby
Gestational diabetes is a serious condition that can harm your baby. If left unmanaged, high blood glucose levels may affect the placenta, causing macrosomia. This condition can result in a larger than normal newborn and may complicate your delivery, requiring a cesarean section to be performed. Macrosomia may also cause your newborn to suffer from shoulder damage, breathing issues, and jaundice.
In addition to causing serious complications, gestational diabetes puts you and your child at a greater risk for Type 2 diabetes. In fact, women with gestational diabetes are more likely to develop the condition during future pregnancies. They also have a 50% chance of developing diabetes.[2] As for their children, they're more likely to be overweight and develop Type 2 diabetes. Treatment after a gestational diabetes glucose test may include meal plans, exercise, glucose testing, and insulin. By living a healthier lifestyle, you can lower your risk for serious pregnancy complications.
Although gestational diabetes is a common, treatable pregnancy complication, it still possesses serious risks. Scheduling a gestational diabetes glucose test with your physician can determine whether or not you need to seek further treatment. If diagnosed with the condition, a healthy diet, physical activity, and medication can help protect you and your baby.
[1]
http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/gestational/what-is-gestational-diabetes.html
[2]
http://www.webmd.com/baby/understanding-gestational-diabetes-basics