Before you plan to conceive, you should see the best gynecologist in Vasant Vihar hospital, Thane West, and discuss your ideal weight, risks, and other factors. Gestational diabetes is one of the common risk factors in overweight women. 

Gestational diabetes occurs in pregnant ladies due to your body’s inability to respond to insulin. These women did not have diabetes before conceiving but ended up developing high blood sugar levels because of hormonal imbalance and obesity. This, too, is categorized into two types: A1 and A2. Those with A1 gestational diabetes can manage their blood sugar levels with diet, exercise, and oral medication. Women diagnosed with A2 category might have to take insulin. 

Signs and Symptoms

Gestational diabetes remains undiagnosed in most women until a gynecologist conducts a screening. Besides, ladies often confuse the symptoms of diabetes with pregnancy symptoms. These are a few common symptoms you might experience if you have gestational diabetes.

  • Extreme fatigue and weakness (despite not doing any strenuous physical activity)
  • Problem in vision
  • Extreme thirst
  • Frequent urination
  • Weight gain or weight loss
  • Dry mouth

You may not experience any symptoms of gestational diabetes at all. That’s why it’s important to take a blood sugar test every trimester.

Complications

Fortunately, gestational diabetes occurs after the second trimester. And it goes away immediately after you deliver. There’s a rare chance that it might affect the baby’s health. However, if you are diagnosed with diabetes during the first or second trimester, there is a risk of malformation or complications during delivery. Here are a few common risks gestational diabetes present in pregnant ladies:

Since the changes in your body’s ability to absorb glucose change due to hormonal changes during pregnancy, the condition shouldn’t last after delivery. However, if diabetes occurs before pregnancy, it is called pre-gestational diabetes and may not go away after delivery.

Prevention and Treatment

Women diagnosed with gestational diabetes must monitor their blood sugar levels regularly. Normal blood sugar levels are 140 mg/dL or below an hour after the meal and 120 mg/dL two hours after eating. It’s important to note that gestational diabetes can’t disappear during pregnancy while you are still experiencing hormonal changes, but a proper diet and lifestyle changes can help manage your blood glucose levels to some extent. 

Exercise is another way to keep your weight in check and reduce the risk of gestational diabetes. Ask your gynecologist about the level of physical pressure your body can handle during pregnancy. Avoid lifting weights or any strenuous exercise that put excess pressure on your body. Ideally, you should practice 30 minutes of exercise for at least five days a week.

Sometimes, lifestyle changes and diet alone may not control your blood sugar levels. Your gynecologist might refer you to a diabetologist, who might prescribe oral medication to keep your blood sugar levels in check. If that, too, doesn’t work, your last resort is taking insulin. You may need to take insulin shots before every meal with oral medication.