Gestational diabetes tends to appear in the third trimester. It’s called “gestational” because it’s a type of diabetes that is discovered during pregnancy. Turns out, when you have gestational diabetes, your body doesn’t handle sugar as well as it should, and blood glucose levels rise. This condition can affect both you and your baby. Although we’re not exactly sure what triggers this situation, it seems to be related to insulin resistance or genetic predisposition. Some factors that can increase the risk include carrying a little extra weight, having a family history of diabetes, being an older mom, or having had gestational diabetes in a previous pregnancy.
So, how does this situation affect your baby? Well, when you have gestational diabetes, your pancreas works overtime to produce insulin, but it seems that it’s not enough to lower your blood sugar levels. As a result, the extra sugar crosses the placenta and causes your little one’s pancreas to generate even more insulin. This can lead to storing more energy as fat. Additionally, moms with gestational diabetes are at higher risk of developing hypertension during pregnancy, birth complications, and an increased risk of type 2 diabetes in the future.
In many cases gestational diabetes doesn’t present clear or specific symptoms, and some moms may not even realize they have it. However, there are some signs that might make you think about the possibility of having gestational diabetes, such as:
- Feeling thirstier than usual
- Urinating more frequently
- Increased appetite
- Feeling tired
- Experiencing frequent infections.
The only way to confirm if you have gestational diabetes is through specific tests, like a glucose tolerance test. If you have any of these symptoms or simply have doubts about the possibility of having gestational diabetes, don’t hesitate to pay a visit to your doctor or healthcare professional!
If you’re pregnant and diagnosed with gestational diabetes, it’s crucial to manage it from the beginning. Keep an eye on what you eat, exercise regularly, and follow your doctor’s recommendations. Controlling your blood sugar levels can help prevent complications during pregnancy and keep your baby healthy. And here’s the good news! After giving birth, it’s likely that your sugar levels will return to normal.
The important thing is to attend all your prenatal appointments and follow every recommendation your doctor makes to take care of yourself and your baby’s health.
