Abnormal Pregnancy

Gestational Diabetes

Diabetes is a condition that causes high levels of glucose in your blood; glucose is a sugar that is your body's main source of energy. Health problems can occur when your glucose levels are too high. When diabetes starts during pregnancy it is called gestational diabetes and it is of special concern.

Gestational diabetes can occur when no risk factors or symptoms are present; therefore, pregnant women are tested for this condition. Gestational diabetes can potentially harm the health of your baby so close monitoring of your glucose levels during pregnancy is important.

Effects

The risk of having problems during your pregnancy is greatest when your blood sugar levels are too high. By controlling your blood sugar levels during your pregnancy, you can reduce the risk of:

  • Macrosomia occurs when your blood sugar level is high throughout pregnancy. This allows too much sugar to go to your baby and can cause the baby to grow too large, making delivery difficult.
    • Gestational diabetes usually goes away after your baby is born; however, if you develop gestational diabetes, you are at greater risk for developing diabetes later in life.
  • Preeclampsia is high blood pressure during pregnancy. This can pose severe health problems for you and your baby and may require your baby to be delivered early.
  • Polyhydramnios occurs when there is too much amniotic fluid in the sac that surrounds the baby. This can result in preterm labor and delivery.
  • Urinary tract infections can occur without symptoms. If the infection is not treated, it may spread from the bladder to your kidneys.
  • Respiratory distress syndrome can make it harder for your baby to breathe after birth.
  • Stillbirth - delivery of a baby that has died before birth - occurs more often in babies of women whose diabetes was not well controlled during pregnancy.
By carefully monitoring blood sugar during pregnancy, most women who have diabetes can have healthy babies.

What You Can Do

You play a key role in controlling your diabetes during your pregnancy. Prenatal care is vitally important because it helps monitor your condition as well as that of your baby.

Steps you can take to manage your diabetes include:

  • Eating a balanced diet consisting of several small meals and snacks throughout the day
  • Seeing your doctor regularly for checkups and tests
  • Following a moderate exercise program as prescribed by your doctor
  • Checking your glucose often each day to keep it at a normal level
  • Taking insulin injections or pills as prescribed by your doctor.

Working With Your Doctor

By working together, you and your doctor can control your glucose level to help ensure you have a safe pregnancy and a healthy baby.

If you develop gestational diabetes, you will be monitored closely during your pregnancy. Your doctor will conduct regular tests to detect any problems early so that steps can be taken to correct them. These tests may include:

  • Ultrasound uses sound waves to create pictures of your baby, allowing your doctor to check the baby's growth and development.
  • Electronic fetal monitoring helps your doctor detect signs of problems your baby may be having late in pregnancy.
  • A biophysical profile uses electronic fetal monitoring and ultrasound results to assess the well-being of your baby.
  • A kick count is a record of how often you feel your baby move. You may be asked to keep track of this movement in the latter part of pregnancy and to contact your doctor if your baby is not active.