Gestational diabetes is not uncommon. Anxiety and stress during pregnancy are not uncommon either. What happens when all of this comes together? How will it impact the baby and the mother? Can this be controlled? Come, let's find out!
Gestational diabetes is a condition in which the expecting mother's blood glucose levels are higher than the normal average. Pregnancy causes many changes in the body, and the blood glucose levels spike during this phase. For some women, the glucose levels will settle down soon after the delivery, and some women will need to continue diabetes treatment or medications even after the delivery.
No, stress as such does not cause diabetes. However, stress, anxiety, depression, and other issues related to the mind can affect the delicate balance between the hormones in the body. This, in turn, can start affecting the glucose levels and insulin production in the body, thus resulting in high glucose levels or diabetes.
If a woman who has no history of diabetes is diagnosed with diabetes during pregnancy, it is sure to increase her stress levels. She is bound to become anxious and start worrying about her and her baby's health. All this stress can spike her glucose levels and blood pressure even further. This can easily become a cyclic issue.
According to the CDC, 2-10% of pregnant women suffer from diabetes during pregnancy every year. A woman who is already stressed or has anxiety issues is at a high risk of gestational diabetes. The extent of the impact her stress levels have on her glucose levels is not very clear as it is very subjective. There is no proper conclusion regarding the correlation between stress, anxiety and gestational diabetes either.
Signs and symptoms of diabetes are very similar to pregnancy symptoms. It is easy to miss these tell-tale signs during pregnancy. This is why doctors suggest periodic blood tests to check glucose levels during pregnancy.
Some common symptoms of diabetes during pregnancy are:
● Frequent urination
● Nausea
● Fatigue/tiredness
● Excessive thirst
Doctors recommend the following tests, in addition to regular blood tests during pregnancy, to check the blood sugar for any abnormal activity.
● Glucose Challenge Test
In this test, you will be given a sweet drink. After an hour, a regular blood test is performed to check the glucose levels. If the body is functioning normally, it should be able to produce enough insulin to handle the sudden burst of sugar. If the glucose levels are higher than normal, you will need another test.
● Glucose Tolerance Test
If your glucose challenge test results are concerning, you will need a glucose tolerance test. This test measures your body's tolerance level against sudden spikes in blood glucose.
In this test, your blood will be tested before you consume a sweet liquid. Next, you will be given a glass of very sweet liquid or glucose mixed with water. After drinking this, you are suggested to stay in your healthcare professional's office, clinic, or lab.
A follow-up blood test will be taken after an hour or two. Both blood test results will be compared to assess how your body handles the extra sugar. If your insulin production increases to match the sugar spike, your blood glucose levels will be within the required range. If the blood sugar is high, it indicates a problem with your insulin production. You may have gestational diabetes.
A diagnosis of gestational diabetes can be stressful. The increase in stress can cause your blood sugar to spike further. Instead of letting this stress cause more damage to you, you can aim to manage it in the following ways:
● Get Active – Being active during pregnancy can be very beneficial not only to control blood glucose but for overall health and to increase the chances of a vaginal delivery. Start moving and ensure you are active every day. A brisk walk, slight exercise, or yoga can help. Ensure you get a clearance from your doctor before you start exercising during pregnancy.
● Improve Diet – Junk foods, highly processed foods, and sugary foods are sure to spike your blood glucose further. Avoid such foods and include more protein and fibre in your regular diet. Opt for home-cooked meals in small portions as much as possible.
● Frequent Meals – Opt for small, frequent meals rather than one big meal. Big meals deliver a heavy load of glucose for your blood to process, which can be difficult. Small meals will ensure the glucose load is lesser, and frequent meals will ensure you don't go hungry for long. Long gaps between meals can also spike blood sugar.
● Schedule Meals – Try to eat your meals around the same time each day. This can help train your body to anticipate a meal at that particular time and start producing digestive juices and insulin accordingly. This can help control hunger pangs, which are quite common during pregnancy.
Unfortunately, no matter what you do, you cannot completely get rid of gestational diabetes. With changes in diet and lifestyle, you can control the sugar spikes and keep your blood glucose under control. However, you cannot get rid of gestational diabetes completely.
Since the hormonal fluctuations are not under your control, it is not feasible to completely prevent gestational diabetes. If you are in the high-risk category, you can make changes to your diet and lifestyle as soon as you confirm pregnancy. Being proactive and taking steps to control sugar spikes can help to a great extent.
Stress has a direct impact on the body's hormone balance, including blood glucose and insulin production. It is essential to identify the stress-causing factors and navigate them individually to ensure the expecting mother does not stress unnecessarily. Keeping this stress under control can benefit both mother and baby during pregnancy.
Stress pushes the body into a fight-or-flight response, stimulating the production and release of various hormones. This can increase blood glucose levels. The body cannot produce enough insulin to convert this extra glucose into energy, so the blood glucose levels stay elevated, resulting in diabetes.
Yes, with careful analysis and changes in one's lifestyle to reduce stress, it is possible to reverse the diabetes and pre-diabetes caused by stress. If left unchecked for long, it can lead to type-2 diabetes, which may not be reversible.
Identifying the stress creators and handling them individually can help reduce stress. When factors causing stress are under control, stress will be reduced, and so will the stress-induced high glucose levels.
