Going to the loo more often and feeling thirsty could be indicative that you are pregnant. These symptoms tend to continue through a large phase of pregnancy, but these can not just be because of your pregnancy. This could also be an indication of gestational diabetes.
While there are two types of diabetes - Type 1 and Type 2 that is normally found in people, there is another variation of this condition which is known as gestational diabetes. This is the type that is found in pregnant women and while not every pregnant woman is prone to this kind of diabetes, yet, if you have it then it’s likely to continue throughout your pregnancy.
Now, you might wonder what causes this form of gestational diabetes. The hormones in your body are also the ones that regulate the sugar or glucose in your blood. When you get pregnant, your hormone balance changes and this could cause your sugar levels to go haywire and result in gestational diabetes.
One thing you need to bear in mind is the fact that if you were diagnosed with gestational diabetes in any of your earlier pregnancies, then you are likely to have it in your later pregnancies also. However, one good thing is, in cases of gestational diabetes, the sugar levels come back to normal after delivery.
Are You Prone To Gestational Diabetes?
As mentioned above, a previous occurrence of gestational diabetes puts you at added risk. However, if you have never been pregnant before or have had a pregnancy without gestational diabetes, here are some of the factors that could lead to this condition.
Any family member with diabetes
A previous big baby (weighing above 4 kgs)
Excessive weight gain
Unhealthy lifestyle
PCOD/PCOS
Why Should You Keep An Eye On Gestational Diabetes?
Blood sugar checks are very regular during your pregnancy, especially during the last trimester. This is to keep a close watch on your sugar levels as an increase or decrease could pose health threats to both you and your baby. Some of the complications resulting from gestational diabetes include, but are not limited to are:
A big baby: Having gestational diabetes could make your baby grow bigger than normal, often leading to the need for a cesarean birth. This is because big babies can get stuck in the birth canal and this could cause injuries to both you and your baby.
Low sugar levels: In some cases of women with gestational diabetes, the sugar levels fall below normal in what is known as hypoglycemia. This also can cause health hazards if not treated properly.
Premature birth: Often it has been seen that untreated gestational diabetes has a correlation with preterm birth which is a danger for the baby. In some cases, gestational diabetes has also been known to lead to stillbirth.
Diabetes after birth: Many women with gestational diabetes are known to develop diabetes later in life.
What You Can Do
There are a lot of things that you can do to make sure that your pregnancy is healthy. Your health largely depends on the kinds of choices you make, so here are some wise decisions you can take.
Eat right: This is by far the most common yet most essential steps you can take to keep yourself healthy, whether you are pregnant or not. When you are pregnant, you need to take note of your diet and steer clear of any food that can be potentially unhealthy.
Exercise: Another great way to keep your body fit and keep gestational diabetes at bay is by exercising regularly. When you are pregnant, you need to be conscious of what kind of exercises you are performing, so it’s best to consult with your doctor and check what kind of exercises are safe for you and your baby.
Weight watching: Excessive weight gain is never good news, especially when you are pregnant. While a certain amount of weight gain is normal, it’s essential that you watch the weight gain so that you are not impacted by conditions like gestational diabetes. Pregnancy is easier to manage without the extra complications, isn’t it?
At the Birthplace, we have a comprehensive plan custom-made for each of our mothers-to-be. We evaluate all risk factors carefully and create a birthing plan that helps you and your baby throughout the nine months of your pregnancy. So, come, join hands with us to make your pregnancy and delivery as memorable as possible.
Want to consult the best gynecologists in India? Please find the links below.
