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Gestational Diabetes: Best Health For Mom and Baby

Expectant mothers are careful to take precautions to ensure the very best health for themselves, and their babies. There are certain medical conditions, including diabetes, that pose particular concern for both mother and child. Diabetes during pregnancy can, however, be successfully moderated and treated.

The American Association of Diabetes indicates that there are two types of diabetes: Type I and Type II. Children and adolescents are most commonly afflicted with Type I diabetes, while Type II is often indicated in overweight adults. Some types of diabetes are directly related to certain genetic problems.

There is one more type of diabetes that affects only pregnant women. Is it possible for an otherwise healthy woman to develop diabetes during pregnancy? Are women with diabetes required to take extra care during pregnancy? Where is the direct link between diabetes and pregnancy?

These are important questions to ask a healthcare practitioner, as a woman who suffers from diabetes has many particular considerations to take into account before becoming pregnant. A diabetic mother who is carrying a child must appreciate the risks, and needs to treat her pregnancy with a great deal of discipline.

Developing Gestational Diabetes

In addition to Type I and Type II diabetes, women who wish to become pregnant should be aware of another potential cause of diabetes. Gestational diabetes is a condition developed during the late stages of pregnancy. Although this form of diabetes disappears following birth, the mother faces a higher probability of acquiring Type II diabetes later in life.

There is indeed a direct link between diabetes and pregnancy, and expectant mothers must be very careful about this condition. The body resists the assimilation of insulation, making this condition similar to Type II diabetes. The symptoms, however, are a bit different than those presented by the typical Type II diabetic.

A mother with gestational diabetes may notice an unusually high increase in weight. This happens because the high levels of glucose in the blood will result in an increase in fetal urination. Pregnant women should be tested during the 24th to 28th weeks of pregnancy to ensure that they are not affected.

Gestational diabetes is quite rare, affecting only 2% to 3% of the total population of pregnant women, and there are some factors that can increase the risk of acquiring the condition:

* Age (risk increases in older women)

* Weight (overweight women are at greater risk)

* Family history of Type II diabetics

* Ethnicity

* Gestational diabetes in a previous pregnancy

* Previous birth of a child weighing nine pounds or more

If you show one or more of these potential risks, speak with your doctor about the possibility of acquiring gestational diabetes.

Studies suggest that as many as 40 percent of women suffering gestational diabetes went on to develop Type II diabetes 5 to 10 years after pregnancy. If you are diagnosed with gestational diabetes, follow your doctor's instructions carefully to avoid contracting Type II diabetes later in life. While many Type II diabetics lead normal lives, it's best to avoid it.

Gestational diabetes poses certain risks to expectant mothers, but it can be controlled. Speak with your obstetrician or healthcare provider to learn more about the causes, preventions and treatments. It's the best way to ensure your own wellness, and the health of your baby.