Diabetes FAQ » Diabetes Articles » What is gestational diabetes and how does it affect mother and child?

What is gestational diabetes and how does it affect mother and child?

Gestational diabetes or the proper name gestational diabetes mellitus, GDM is a type of diabetes that women who were not previously diagnosed with diabetes start having high blood glucose levels during pregnancy. Gestational diabetes is a serious threat to both mother and child and as such woman should be tested during pregnancy using: fasting glucose test, 2-hour postprandial (after eating) glucose test, random glucose test, screening glucose challenge test and oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT).

Gestational type diabetes is difficult to diagnose because unlike type 1 and type 2 diabetes gestational diabetes has few symptoms. It is usually diagnose when during pregnancy screening tests are done for higher levels of glucose in blood samples. It is estimated that at least 3 to 10% of pregnancies may be affected by this ailment. It is believed that hormones produced during pregnancy may increase a woman’s body resistance to insulin and the ensuing glucose intolerance. Two main risks for the baby are growth abnormalities and possible chemical imbalances after birth. These problems for the child could require admission into a neonatal intensive care unit. Infants born to GDM mothers can be at risk for being unusually large (macrosomic) or unusually small for their gestational age. If the child is macrosomic it may lead to the necessity of having to use instruments to assist birth such as forceps, ventouse or even a caesarean section. It could also lead to complications during vaginal birth such as shoulder dystocia.

Gestational diabetes increases the risk of babies born to these mothers of having increased risk factors that could lead to such complications infants being born large for gestational age (which could cause delivery problems). Infants could also have development problems with low blood sugars, jaundice and infantile diabetes and childhood obesity. Babies may also be born with breathing problems requiring more oxygen or other assistance known as Respiratory Distress Syndrome. Another problem for the child of a mother who has gestational diabetes could be low levels of some of the vital minerals the child may need resulting in muscles cramps, twitching which will need to be treated by giving the baby the required minerals. Birth defects usually originate around the first trimester (13th week) and GDM usually develops during first trimester. Pregnant women with gestational diabetes endure and increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus after birth.

Gestational diabetes can be defined according to medical authorities as any degree of glucose intolerance with onset or first recognition during pregnancy.When we look at this definition we acknowledge that patients may have had previously undiagnosed diabetes or even developed the diabetes coincidentally with the pregnancy. Gestational diabetes usually stops after the baby is born and there is an increased risk of GDM in a second pregnancy also the mother risk factor of incurring diabetes mellitus in the future. Keeping track of your eating and weight in line with what it should be will go along way in helping to keep your blood sugars at a normal levels, if you develop gestational diabetes during pregnancy.

Gestational diabetes poses a serious health issue in pregnancy for both mother and child and there are several risk factors for gestational diabetes including: Past history of diabetes, impaired glucose tolerance or impaired fasting glycaemia, family history of type 2 diabetes (first degree relative), age…risk increases over 35, race or ethnic background African-Americans, Afro-Carribbeans, Native Americans, Hispanics and Pacific Islanders and East Indian seem more susceptible to gestational diabetes), obesity, a previous pregnancy resulting in a large infant weight and a previous poor obstetric history.

Why are diseases such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes so often linked together?

Individuals who have been diagnosed with diabetes are twice as prone to heart attacks, strokes and other serious heart problems than those people who don’t. Another fact is that if you have diabetes you are more at risk to have heart disease or strokes at an earlier age. In fact if middle-aged and you have type 2 diabetes your odds of having a heart attack are as high as someone who doesn’t have diabetes but has already had a previous heart attack. Women of all ages are at risk if they have diabetes of having heart disease as diabetes cancels out the protective effects of a woman who are in there childbearing years. Woman though who have not gone through menopause who already have diabetes however are at less risk of heart disease than men of the same age. All people with diabetes though are truly at risk as high blood glucose levels contribute to increased deposits of fatty materials on the inside of blood vessel walls which affect blood flow. This restricted blood flow increases the chance of clogging and hardening of the blood vessels (atherosclerosis).

One condition that is both a ling and common to both diabetes and heart disease is known as metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is a grouping of traits and medical conditions that combined put both people at greater risk for type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Metabolic syndrome is effident when any three of the following five traits or medical conditions are present: elevated waist circumference- 40 inches or more for men, 35 inches of more for women, elevated levels of triglycerides- 150 mg/dl or higher, or on medication for elevated levels, low levels of HDL (good cholesterol)- below 40 mg/dl in men, 50mg/dl in women, elevated blood pressure levels- 130 mm Hg or higher for systolic blood pressure, 85 m Hg or higher for diastolic blood pressure, elevated fasting blood glucose levels- 100 mg/dl or higher or on medications for blood sugars.

People who have diabetes are at an increased risk of stroke. Strokes occur when the blood supply to the brain is cut off when a blood vessel is blocked or bursts. Fatty deposits or blood clots (jelly like clumps of blood cells) often block the arteries leading to the brain. Diabetes can actually be responsible for creating blood clots or contributing to the factors that cause them.

High blood glucose levels and blocked blood vessels can damage heart muscles and cause irregular heart beats. Cardiomyopathy is a term used to describe damage to heart muscles and although there may not be many symptoms at the onset but with progression the symptoms may be weakness, shortness of breath, severe cough, fatigue and swelling of legs and feet. In the case of a diabetic the pain signals that would help identify these symptoms may be impaired and not deliver the typical warning signs of a heart attack.

Diabetic patients are at least twice as likely as people without to have a heart attack or a stroke. You can dramatically reduce that risk factor if you can control the ABC’s of diabetes: A1C (blood glucose level), blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Also a lot of the treatment plan for diabetes is also part of a heart smart health plan. Things like choosing foods wisely to fit your health needs, exercise and activity, losing weight, giving up smoking and alcohol and proper use of prescribed medications will also help reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke.

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