Pregnant women sometimes experience high blood sugar levels, leading to a condition called gestational diabetes. It usually occurs between the 24th and 28th week of pregnancy.
Up to 10% of pregnant women in the United States develop gestational diabetes. When this disorder is poorly managed, it also increases the risk of pregnancy and delivery complications and boosts your child’s chances of developing diabetes.
Our team at Apex Medical Professionals offers treatment and relief for many conditions, including gestational diabetes. Walid Elkhalili, MD, and Basel Batarseh, MD, help you manage this condition to avoid the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes in the future.
Pregnancy and motherhood can be an incredible adventure. Your body goes through many major changes both physically and hormonally during this time. Although the exact cause of gestational diabetes is unknown, hormones probably play a role in its development.
You produce more hormones when you're pregnant, which can begin to make your body resistant to insulin. Insulin is the hormone that regulates blood sugar. Having too much or too little are both causes for concern.
Here are a few myths and facts to help you better understand gestational diabetes.
Fact: Gestational diabetes isn’t permanent, and most women’s blood sugar levels return to normal after childbirth. But the condition does make you more likely to get it again during any future pregnancies.
And babies of mothers with gestational diabetes have an increased risk of battling obesity and Type 2 diabetes as they get older.
Fact: While heredity is a risk factor for developing gestational diabetes, a family history of the condition doesn’t guarantee that you will or won’t experience the hormonal fluctuation.
If you’re aware of the role genetics plays during your pregnancy, you can lower your risk by eating well and cultivating a healthy lifestyle.
Fact: Blood sugar regulation is crucial for pregnant women, but that doesn’t mean you have to skip the dessert menu. A sweet treat here and there won’t give you gestational diabetes.
You have to eat a properly balanced diet, paying attention to your fat, protein, and carbohydrate intake. Plus, eating every two hours helps you control blood sugar levels.
Fact: Women with gestational diabetes may or may not require a treatment plan. Treatment depends on your daily blood sugar levels before and after meals.
You can manage blood sugar levels by exercising regularly and eating healthy, balanced meals. Only about 10-20% of women with gestational diabetes require insulin injections.
Fact: Though carrying extra weight does increase your risk of becoming diabetic, even women who are underweight or within a healthy body mass index (BMI) range can contract gestational diabetes.
There are many other risk factors besides obesity that can contribute to your chance of experiencing this condition, including:
Gestational diabetes is the result of the interaction of several risk factors involving more than just weight.
If you’re pregnant or planning to get pregnant but worry about gestational diabetes, we can help. Our team of experts has extensive experience diagnosing and treating diabetes and can help you improve your health and well-being.
Call our Fair Lawn, New Jersey, office today or schedule an appointment online.
