What is it?
Gestational diabetes is diabetes diagnosed for the first time during pregnancy (gestation). Like other types of diabetes, gestational diabetes affects how your cells use sugar (glucose). Gestational diabetes causes high blood sugar that can affect your pregnancy and your baby’s health.
In women with gestational diabetes, blood sugar usually returns to normal soon after delivery. However, having gestational diabetes does put you at a higher risk of getting type 2 diabetes. You’ll need to be tested for changes in blood sugar more often.
What are some risk factors??
- Overweight and obesity
- A lack of physical activity
- Previous gestational diabetes or prediabetes
- Polycystic ovary syndrome
- Diabetes in an immediate family member
- Previously delivering a baby weighing more than 9 pounds
- Race — If you are Black, Hispanic, American Indian and Asian American, you are at a higher risk of developing gestational diabetes
Symptoms:
While symptoms are usually absent or mild, the following might require a check up
Types of Gestational Diabetes:
Gestational diabetes has two classes: A1 and A2.
Class A1 is used to describe gestational diabetes that can be controlled through diet alone. People with class A2 gestational diabetes will need insulin or oral medications to control their condition.
How is gestational diabetes treated?
This will depend on the type of gestational diabetes that you have which in turn is dependent on your blood sugar levels throughout the day.
Your doctor will likely advise you to test your blood sugar before and after meals. You will also need to manage your condition by eating healthy and exercising regularly.
In A2 gestational diabetes, they may add insulin injections. Properly timing your insulin injections in relation to your meals and exercise to avoid low blood sugar is crucial. However, it should be noted that only around 10 to 20 percent of women with gestational diabetes need insulin to help control their blood sugar. Most can normally control their blood sugar levels from diet and exercise alone. You will most likely be encouraged to monitor your blood sugar levels and will need a special glucose-monitoring device.
Guildview Pharmacy cares about you. Give us a call at 416-283-5388 to book a consultation with one of our pharmacists and discuss what your medication and diagnosis means, next steps and how to improve your symptoms.