Gestational diabetes is when pregnancy causes women with no prior history of diabetes to stop being able to break down blood sugar properly. Gestational diabetes is most often diagnosed late in pregnancy since it is difficult to detect prior to week 24-28. There aren’t necessarily any noticeable symptoms of the condition and thus it tends to be discovered during regular check-ups. If untreated, gestational diabetes can cause a condition called macrosomia, in which the foetus becomes very overweight which can cause health problems for the baby and complications during delivery. Gestational diabetes can be managed with healthy diet and moderate but regular exercise, though in some case insulin injections are also necessary. Most women with gestational diabetes can have a healthy pregnancy resulting in a healthy baby. Usually gestational diabetes goes away soon after you’ve given birth, however women who have had it are at risk for getting it again in subsequent pregnancies and are also at elevated risk for Type 2 diabetes later in life.
Diabetes Australia
“Gestational Diabetes”
"Gestational diabetes (sometimes referred to as GDM) is diagnosed when higher than normal blood glucose levels first appear during pregnancy. From 3 to 8% of pregnant women will develop gestational diabetes around the 24th to 28th week of pregnancy, however, some may be earlier." …read the full article
Family Doctor
“Gestational Diabetes: What it means for you and your baby.”
"High sugar levels in your blood can be unhealthy for both you and your baby. If the diabetes isn’t treated, your baby may be more likely to have problems at birth. For example, your baby may have a low blood sugar level or jaundice, or your baby may weigh much more than is normal. Gestational diabetes can also affect your health. For instance, if your baby is very large, you may have a more difficult delivery or need a cesarean section." …read the full article
Mayo Clinic
“Gestational Diabetes”
"Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that occurs only during pregnancy. Like other forms of diabetes, gestational diabetes affects the way your body uses blood sugar (glucose) — your body’s main source of fuel. As a result, your blood sugar level is too high. If untreated or uncontrolled, gestational diabetes can result in a variety of health problems for you and your baby. If you have gestational diabetes, you and your doctor will devise a plan to keep your blood sugar levels within a normal range. The good news is that controlling your blood sugar can help ensure a healthy pregnancy for you and a healthy start for your baby." …read the full article
BabyCenter Australia
“Gestational Diabetes”
"If you can control your diabetes carefully, you will be doing the best that you can for you and your baby.The main problem with having too much sugar in your blood is that it crosses the placenta to your baby, which means that there is a small risk that he could grow very large (NCCWCH 2008: 76). A big baby may make labour and birth more difficult. Sometimes a caesarean section is needed.Babies affected by too much blood sugar during pregnancy may have health problems after the birth such as low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia) and jaundice. Their blood sugar levels may need to be monitored for a while in the neonatal unit.Babies born to mothers with diabetes are also more prone to obesity and type 2 diabetes in later in life (NCCWCH 2008: 77). " …read the full article
North Coast Area Health Service
“Diabetes In Pregnancy”
"It is possible in some women that gestational diabetes may be present and could have been diagnosed at an earlier stage of pregnancy. However, few women develop gestational diabetes earlier. Gestational diabetes is most commonly found during the last 12 weeks of pregnancy as the pregnancy hormone levels rise further. At 28 weeks, control of blood glucose levels can be effective in controlling the growth of the baby." …read the full article
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Diabetes Australia
“My Journey With Gestational Diabetes”
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