Gestational Diabetes is Becoming a More Common Diagnosis Amongst Pregnant Women!

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a temporary form of diabetes that is becoming a common diagnosis among pregnant women. When handled properly, however, it does not need to ruin a pregnancy; treatment using a gestational diabetes diet plan combined with a sensible amount of exercise can often control the symptoms without the need for medication.

Gestational diabetes is caused by an imbalance of hormones leading to insulin resistance which is characteristic of type 2 diabetes. These hormones block the effectiveness of the naturally occurring insulin causing a temporary diabetic condition.

The most common risk factors include:

a family history of diabetes or gestational diabetes
having GDM in a previous pregnancy
obesity and/or high blood pressure
having previously delivered a baby 9 pounds or higher

Other risk factors for gestational diabetes include frequent miscarriages, recurring urinary tract infections, a history of toxemia, and unexplained stillbirths.

Women over thirty are more likely to have gestational diabetes, and the chances of occurrence among those with two or more risk factors increases with each additional pregnancy.

The obvious symptoms of gestational diabetes are so mild they often go unnoticed. These symptoms, such as rapid weight gain, excessive thirst and hunger through to vaginal infections, may be attributed to the pregnancy itself.

Gestational diabetes is usually confirmed between the 24th and 28th week of pregnancy. If the pregnant mother is at a high risk for gestational diabetes, testing for impaired blood sugar levels will be carried out earlier... sometimes as soon as the pregnancy is confirmed or around 13 weeks. In high risk cases, the test will be repeated at the usual time if the first test is negative.

Diet and exercise often controls gestational diabetes but in some cases additional methods of control such as insulin injections may be needed.

Most women who develop this condition find it goes away after the baby's birth, and experience no more symptoms... although it is likely to return, and maybe worsen, through subsequent pregnancies. A small number of women continue on to have full-blown type 2 diabetes.

Risks to the child are usually minimal if the diabetes is controlled throughout the pregnancy.

You can reduce your long-term risk of type 2 diabetes by making changes to your lifestyle. If you can lose weight so that you are in the "ideal weight range" this will help, as will a regular program of exercise, such as walking, jogging or even swimming. Both losing weight and exercising will reduce your insulin resistance and the extra strain on your pancreas to produce insulin.

Would you like more information about alternative ways to handle your type 2 diabetes?

To download your free copy of my E-Book, click here now: Answers to Your Questions... its based on questions many diabetics have asked me over recent months.

Beverleigh Piepers is a registered nurse who would like to help you understand how to live easily and happily with your type 2 diabetes.
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