Diabetes develops when the body cannot adequately manage the glucose or blood sugar level in your body due to an issue with insulin production. Insulin is responsible for helping glucose get into your cells, so it can be used as energy. When the right amount of insulin is not produced, the glucose you get from the food you eat sits in the blood, causing your blood sugar to increase.
Pregnant woman can develop gestational diabetes, which refers to being diabetic while pregnant. The way your pancreas processes glucose can change when you are pregnant. This is what leads to gestational diabetes. Once the pregnancy is over, diabetes generally disappears on its own. While it is temporary, gestational diabetes should not be ignored. To prevent harm from coming to them or their unborn babies, pregnant women should maintain good glucose levels.
Warning Signs of Gestational Diabetes
It can be difficult to detect gestational diabetes on your own. Your body will be going through a variety of changes during pregnancy so pinpointing what a symptom of gestational diabetes is can be difficult on your own. Therefore, your doctors will routinely check for diabetes as part of your prenatal care.
Can Gestational Diabetes Affect Me and My Baby?
Gestational diabetes should be controlled and maintained to ensure the you and the unborn baby are healthy. Uncontrolled gestational diabetes can lead to a host of health problems during pregnancy and birth, including an increased risk of:
- Cesarean birth
- Perinatal depression
- Premature birth
- Shoulder dystocia or other birth trauma
- Stillbirth
Uncontrolled gestational diabetes can also lead to a host of issues for your baby after birth. These health issues include:
- Low blood sugar
- Jaundice
- Breathing problems
- Diabetes later in life
- Obesity later in life
Controlling Gestational Diabetes
Fortunately, gestational diabetes is a controllable condition. Women with gestational diabetes can have healthy pregnancies and healthy babies. The important thing to do is work with a qualified and experienced doctor to manage the condition.
If gestational diabetes is detected, your obstetrician/gynecologist should refer you to an endocrinologist. An endocrinologist specializes in glands and hormones and will be able to help you control your gestational diabetes efficiently through your pregnancy.
An endocrinologist will create a plan to ensure your glucose levels stay in check. This will include checking your blood sugar at home, dietary plans to ensure you eat a balanced diet that controls the amount of glucose you eat, and possibly, insulin shots to help control your blood sugar when it goes up.
Gestational Diabetes Care in Miami Beach, Florida
Dr. Alexander Lurie is a highly qualified and experienced endocrinologist. He has a wealth of experience diagnosing, managing, and preventing conditions like diabetes. If you develop gestational diabetes, Dr. Lurie can help you manage the condition to ensure you have a healthy pregnancy and baby. Call (305) 456-4840 to schedule an appointment. You may also secure an appointment online.
