Gestational Diabetes

Gestational Diabetes

 If you are among the 7 percent of women who =
experience=20
diabetes during pregnancy, also known as gestational diabetes, or if you =
gave=20
birth to a child that weighed more than nine pounds, research indicates =
you are=20
at high risk to develop type 2 diabetes.

In fact, nearly 50 percent of women who had =
gestational=20
diabetes go on to develop type 2 diabetes. The chances of developing =
diabetes=20
are even greater if you have other risk factors. These include parents =
or=20
siblings with diabetes, obesity, lack of physical activity, as well as =
being a=20
member of a high-risk ethnic group, such as African-Americans, Hispanics =
or=20
Native Americans.

What is gestational diabetes?

Gestational diabetes is the onset or first =
recognition of=20
high blood glucose levels during pregnancy. Blood glucose levels start =
to=20
increase midway through pregnancy, at a time when the baby requires more =

nourishment and the mother subsequently consumes more calories. These =
extra=20
calories require the mother to make more insulin=97most women can keep =
up with the=20
demand for extra insulin. However, in women who develop gestational =
diabetes,=20
blood glucose rises above levels that are ideal for the health of the =
baby and=20
the mother.

If you have gestational diabetes, you have some =
resistance to=20
your own insulin. This insulin resistance can cause high triglycerides, =
low HDL=20
(good cholesterol) and high blood pressure. It also can lead to high =
blood=20
glucose levels. In addition, you are not able to make enough insulin =
because the=20
demand for insulin has increased.  If a controlled eating plan and =
physical=20
activity are not enough to manage blood glucose levels, you will need =
insulin=20
for the remainder of the pregnancy. Oral diabetes medications are not =
used=20
during pregnancy because of their potential harm to the baby. After =
delivery,=20
the blood glucose levels of most women return to normal. However, those =
women=20
whose blood glucose levels remain elevated are at risk of developing =
type 2=20
diabetes.

Delay or prevent type 2 diabetes

What can you do to prevent or delay the onset of =
type 2=20
diabetes? Insulin resistance and a relative lack of insulin from =
gestational=20
diabetes can reappear later in life, as glucose tolerance tends to =
decrease and=20
as weight often increases. Stay at a healthy weight, and become more =
physically=20
active. Studies show that the loss of 10 pounds to 20 pounds and 30 =
minutes of=20
activity five times a week can do the trick. Achieving a healthy weight =
and=20
being active also can help reduce the odds of having insulin resistance. =

Make sure your health care provider knows if you =
have=20
gestational diabetes or large babies. Regarding gestational diabetes, =
the=20
American Diabetes Association recommends that if blood glucose levels =
were=20
normal when checked six weeks after delivery, they should be checked at =
least=20
every three years, regardless of age. If blood glucose levels are higher =
than=20
normal, but not high enough to diagnose diabetes, blood glucose levels =
should be=20
checked once a year.

Be aware of the common symptoms of diabetes: =
thirst, frequent=20
urination, weight loss, tiredness and hunger. If you think you might =
have=20
diabetes, contact your health care provider immediately. The goal is to =
detect=20
diabetes early so it can be managed, thus reducing the risk of long-term =

complications