Gestational
Diabetes
by Andrew Palmer
| Gestational
diabetes is a temporary condition that occurs during pregnancy.
Pregnant women who have never had diabetes before, but who
have high blood sugar levels during pregnancy, are said
to have gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes affects
about 4% of all pregnancies, making it one of the top health
concerns related to pregnancy.
What is the cause of gestational diabetes?
While no-one really knows the cause, there are some factors
that is might increase the risk of developing gestational
diabetes. These include: |
 |
- A
family history of diabetes
- Obesity
in the woman
- Having
had gestational diabetes in a previous pregnancy.
- Older
maternal age (over the age of 30).
- A
previous delivery of a large (greater than 9 pounds) baby .
What
are the risks of gestational diabetes?
High sugar levels in your blood can be unhealthy for both you
and your baby. If a woman had gestational diabetes during pregnancy,
there is an increased risk of developing diabetes for both mother
and child. Babies born to mothers with gestational diabetes have
a greater change of developing diabetes, but there is also some
other risks involved, such as macrosomia, or a "fat"
baby. Babies with macrosomia face health problems of their own,
including damage to their shoulders during birth, or a higher
risk for breathing problems.
Treating
gestational diabetes
In most cases, gestational diabetes is managed by diet and exercise,
and goes away after the baby is born. But because gestational
diabetes can hurt you and your baby, it is important to start
treatment quickly. You should consult your doctor for special
meal plans and scheduled physical activity.
There
is no reason to panic
While gestational diabetes is a cause for concern, the good news
with the correct diet and exercise, you can keep your blood glucose
levels under control, and give a healthy start for your baby.
About
the Author
Andrew
Palmer helps maintain Diabetesweb,
an informational site on everything related to diabetes. Be sure
to check it out if you need further information on gestational
diabetes.
Article
Source: http://EzineArticles.com/
