Gestational Diabetes
Transcript: A form of high blood sugar only during pregnancy If your blood sugar levels are too high, too much glucose will end up in your baby's blood. When that happens, your baby's pancreas needs to produce more insulin to process the extra glucose. All this excess blood sugar and insulin can cause your baby to put on extra weight, particularly in the upper body. Gestational Diabetes Rollover After Effects? Treatment Between 2 and 10 percent of expectant mothers develop this condition, making it one of the most common health problems of pregnancy. Causes Greater than 25yrs What is It? Causes you to lose weight :) Diabetes Medication Brief Diabetes Explanation You're obese (your body mass index is over 30) The baby may be too large to enter birth canal Or head may enter but shoulders would get stuck Delivery can sometimes result in a fractured bone or nerve damage (both heal w/o permanent damage in 99% of babies) If your blood glucose level for this screening is higher than 200 mg/dL, most practitioners will consider you diabetic and you won't be required to take the glucose tolerance test. But any score between 140 and 200 means that you'll have to take the three-hour glucose tolerance test for a definite diagnosis. Risk Factors If the blood sugar control was especially poor, the baby is at risk for polycythemia (an increase in the number of red cells in the blood) and hypocalcemia (low calcium in the blood). Also, the baby's heart function could be affected as well. This chart shows the levels that the American Diabetes Association considers abnormal at each interval of the test: Interval Abnormal reading Fasting 95 mg/dl or higher 1 hour 180 mg/dl or higher 2 hours 155 mg/dl or higher 3 hours 140 mg/dl or higher Exercise and strictly follow the diet- leave this as last resort/absolutely need to Baby Some women who develop diabetes during pregnancy still have it after delivery, so they have to take another glucose test six to eight weeks after their baby is born. Delivered baby weighing more than 9lbs (4.1kg) Can lead to injuries to the vaginal area Require a large episiotomy About 1/3 to 1/2 of women who have gestational diabetes will have it again in a later pregnancy. Up to 50 % of women with gestational diabetes will develop diabetes at some point in the future Studies show that moderate exercise also helps improve your body's ability to process glucose, keeping blood sugar levels in check. Placental Hormones Your diet must have the correct balance of protein, fats, and carbohydrates, while providing the proper vitamins, minerals, and calories. According to the American Diabetes Association, you're considered at high risk for this condition if: Mom DO NOT SKIP MEALS Avoid sugary substances (candy, cookies, cakes, soda...) Drink lots of water Mom At least 30min/day Aerobic activity(swimming, walking, dancing) How Common Is It? You've had a baby with a birth defect. or unexplained stillbirth Well-Planned Diabetic/Healthy Diet Further Complications Baby You may be recommended that you give birth by cesarean section if the baby is suspected to be too large Early(preterm) birth and respiratory distress syndrome Shortly after birth, may have hypoglycemia May develop type 2 diabetes later in life May be overweight in childhood and adulthood Jaundice Almost all pregnant women have a glucose-screening test between 24 and 28 weeks. About 15% of women need medication Most patients now start with oral meds instead of injections Gestational Diabetes In most cases, there are no noticeable signs or symptoms but women may experience fatigue or increased thirst. Complications The hormones from the placenta help the baby develop, but almost all of the placental hormones impair the action of insulin in cells, thus raising the blood sugar. As the baby grows, the placenta produces more and more insulin-blocking hormones which can affect the growth and welfare of baby, also resulting in gestational diabetes. Abnormal blood glucose level If you're not able to control your blood sugar well enough with the diet and exercise, then you may be prescribed medication as well. When you eat, your digestive system breaks most of your food down into a type of sugar called glucose. The glucose enters your bloodstream and then, with the help of insulin (a hormone made by your pancreas), your cells use the glucose as fuel. However, if your body doesn't produce enough insulin – or your cells have a problem responding to the insulin – too much glucose remains in your blood instead of moving into the cells and getting converted to energy. Physical Exercise Nonwhite Race High blood pressure and preeclampsia Future diabetes You have a strong family history of diabetes Diagnosis & Cause You need to keep diligent track of the glucose levels, using a home glucose meter or strips. These are some of the treatments: Also constitutes to weight loss and lowers stress :D When you're pregnant, hormonal changes can make your cells less responsive to insulin. For