Important Information About Gestational Diabetes Mellitus
Kim Allarie | January 28, 2010Gestational diabetes (also known as gestational diabetes mellitus, or GDM) is a condition which only affects pregnant women. It is a form of diabetes in which pregnant women that have never been previously diagnosed with actual diabetes exhibit high levels of blood glucose during pregnancy. Gestational diabetes affects anywhere from 3-10% of pregnancies, depending on the population that is being studied.
There are a number of risk factors that make a woman more inclined to develop the condition, and all pregnant women should be aware of them. If you have experienced gestational diabetes in an earlier pregnancy, you are more likely to acquire it in your current one. If you have family members with type 2 diabetes, are over 35 years old or are obese, you are more prone to developing the condition. There are elevated risks for women who have earlier had a baby that weighed in the ninetieth percentile, meaning it was quite large. Ethnic background also plays a role in GDM, and women who smoke are at a higher risk as well.
In most cases of GDM, the mother’s blood glucose level returns to normal after delivery. Moreover, the symptoms are usually mild and pose no threat to the health or life of the mother. Most of the time, there are no symptoms at all, but when they do occur, they include nausea and vomiting, blurred vision, fatigue, increased thirst and need for urination, as well as infections of the bladder, vagina, and skin.
The hazards of gestational diabetes that is left untreated are significant. The baby is more liable to be big for its gestational age, making labor harder for the mother. It’s also more likely to have low blood glucose or jaundice. There is also some evidence, albeit inconclusive at this point, that mothers with GDM are also at an increased risk of developing preeclampsia, a form of hypertension that arises during pregnancy associated with high levels of protein in the urine. Preeclampsia is considered one of the more serious pregnancy complications for its potential effects on both the mother and baby.
Once a diagnosis of GDM has been reached, then close monitoring of the mother and the fetus should continue throughout the remainder of the pregnancy. The mother should be trained to monitor her own blood glucose levels in order to help ensure that it remains at what are considered normal limits. Maintaining normal levels of blood glucose during pregnancy will help ensure the health and well-being of the fetus.
Diabetes is a serious disease which can create acute health concerns and possibly death. In many instances, it can be treated by means of changes to your diet. If you’re looking for a diabetic diet plan or other tips on managing the condition, check out the Diabetes Treatment site.





