Gestational Diabetes Symptoms and How to Treat It

What is Gestational diabetes mellitus?

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) or pregnancy diabetes is a type of diabetes that occurs during pregnancy.

Why does gestational diabetes happen??

During pregnancy, the placenta (the organ that delivers oxygen and nutrients to your baby) releases several hormones to help your baby grow. Some of these hormones affect your body’s ability to make or use insulin, known as insulin resistance.

In response, your body tries to keep your insulin levels steady by pushing your pancreas to make more insulin – sometimes as much as three times the normal amount. If your body cannot make that extra insulin, your blood sugar rises. And if this happens consistently, you will then develop gestational diabetes mellitus or GDM.

How common is gestational diabetes (GDM)?

India has the highest rate of women with gestational diabetes. At a rate of 26 per cent, Indian women have an 11 times higher risk of developing Gestational diabetes when compared to other women in the world.

What are the complications of diabetes in pregnancy?

Gestational diabetes is a serious form of diabetes and can potentially cause several health-related risks to both you (the mother) and your unborn child.

Complications of gestational diabetes for the mother

1. Preeclampsia and high blood pressure
2. Raised chances of having a Cesarean (C-section) section or surgical delivery
3. Higher risk of developing diabetes mellitus (type 2) in the future

Complications of gestational diabetes for the child

1. Heavier or higher birth weight of the baby
2. Preterm birth
3. Breathing difficulties
4. Low blood sugar shortly after birth
5. Higher risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus later on in life
6. Stillbirth

Considering all the possible complications of having gestational diabetes or pregnancy diabetes, it’s advisable to look for the symptoms of diabetes during pregnancy and seek treatment as early as possible.

What are the signs and symptoms of gestational diabetes

Gestational diabetes symptoms are often very difficult to spot, especially since they can mimic the normal changes that may occur during pregnancy.

However, possible signs and symptoms include:

1. Fatigue
2. Blurred vision
3. Extreme thirst
4. Nausea
5. Frequent bladder, vaginal, or skin infections
6. Frequent urination
7. Detection of sugar in the urine (through laboratory tests)

Since pregnancy diabetes symptoms are so hard to pick up on, your gynaecologist will recommend you get tested for gestational diabetes during your 24th and 28th week of pregnancy.

Screening, Tests and diagnosis for gestational diabetes

Initial glucose challenge test:

This test is performed by asking you to consume a glucose solution first. Your blood sugar is then tested an hour later, and if your blood sugar levels are higher than normal (140mg/dL), you will be required to undergo a follow-up glucose tolerance test.

Follow-up glucose tolerance test:

Similar to the initial glucose challenge test, your blood sugar is checked every hour, for three hours. If the first two tests are higher than normal then you will be diagnosed with gestational diabetes or pregnancy diabetes.

Treatment for gestational diabetes includes –

• Lifestyle therapy, including diet modifications and regular exercise.
• Regular monitoring of your blood sugar
• Putting you on medication such as insulin injections if required.
• Your doctor will also closely monitor the development of your baby through ultrasounds and other tests.

In general, most women respond well to lifestyle therapy with diet modifications, engaging in at least 30 minutes of exercise a day.

But, changing your lifestyle while coping with mood swings, cravings, and the whole gamut of pregnancy-related symptoms can be a huge challenge that may sometimes seem too daunting to cope with. Not to mention the stress of being diagnosed with pregnancy diabetes or gestational diabetes.

What makes a difference is having experts at your side, guiding you through the entire process – telling you what to eat, what to avoid, which exercises to include in your routine and how to take care of your worries and stresses, amongst others.

Personalised, scientific guidance and motivation from experts, who understand your medical history, can guide you through gestational diabetes by helping you make incremental and positive lifestyle changes until they become a part of your daily routine. And this is where Diabefly GDM comes into play – a digital therapeutics diabetes management program that’s been designed especially for pregnant women.

Diabefly GDM is your buddy in-between your Doctor appointments that helps you with various lifestyle factors like nutrition, physical activity, mental well-being, maternal & baby development, labour and childbirth preparation and much more.

All this happens under the expert guidance of a Diabefly Coach (a nutritionist specialising in pregnancy & diabetes), a physiotherapist and a clinical psychologist. For 360 degree care that’s trusted by India’s leading Doctors, visit www.fitterfly.com/diabefly-gdm or speak to our counsellor at 022 4897 1077.