Gestational Diabetes Classification, Causes, Symptoms, Risk Factors, Complications, Prevention, Diagnosis, FAQs

Gestational Diabetes

Gestational diabetes is a condition in which females without diabetes develop excessive blood sugar levels in the course of pregnancy. If diabetes occurs in the course of expectancy, the mother regularly has no symptoms. The circumstance is usually only detected at some stage in recurring antenatal checks.

Gestational diabetes commonly develops between the 24th and 28th weeks of being pregnant. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it’s anticipated to occur in 2 to 10 per cent of pregnancies in the United States.

If you develop gestational diabetes at the same time as you’re pregnant, it doesn’t mean that you had diabetes earlier than your being pregnant or may have it afterwards. But gestational diabetes does improve your chance of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus in the future.

If poorly managed, it may also enhance your child’s risk of developing diabetes and increase the risk of complications for you and your baby during pregnancy and delivery.

Gestational Diabetes Classification

The classification of gestational diabetes known as The White classification, which was named after Priscilla White, who pioneered the research on the effect of diabetes types on perinatal outcome, is vastly used to monitor the maternal and fetal risk.

The classification distinguishes between; Gestation diabetes Type A and Pregestational diabetes (diabetes that exists prior to pregnancy). These two classes of gestational diabetes are again subdivided according to their associated risks and management.

The two subclasses of Gestational diabetes Type A are;

• Type A1
• Type A2

Women who have gestational diabetes Type A1 can manage it through diet and exercise while those who have gestational diabetes Type A2 need to take insulin or other medications.

Diabetes which existed prior to pregnancy ( pregestational diabetes) is also split up into several subtypes under this system.

• Type B: onset at age 20 or older and duration of fewer than 10 years.
• Type C: onset at age 10–19 or duration of 10–19 years.
• Type D: onset before age 10 or duration greater than 20 years.
• Type E: overt diabetes mellitus with calcified pelvic vessels.
• Type F: diabetic nephropathy.
• Type R: proliferative retinopathy.
• Type RF: retinopathy and nephropathy.
• Type H: ischemic heart disease.
• Type T: a prior kidney transplant.

Gestational Diabetes Causes

The exact cause of gestational diabetes is unknown, however, hormones probably play a role. When you’re pregnant, your body produces larger quantities of a few hormones, such as; human placental lactogen (hPL) and hormones that increase insulin resistance.

These hormones have an effect on your placenta and help maintain your pregnancy. Over time, the amount of those hormones on your body increases. They may begin to make your body resistant to insulin, the hormone that regulates your blood sugar.

Insulin facilitates the movement of glucose out of your blood into your cells, where it’s used for energy. In pregnancy, your frame naturally becomes slightly insulin resistant, so that more glucose is available in your bloodstream to be passed to the baby. If the insulin resistance will become too strong, your blood glucose levels may rise abnormally. This can reason gestational diabetes.

Gestational Diabetes Symptoms

When it comes to gestational diabetes, women who have this condition don’t usually have the symptoms or may chalk them up to pregnancy. Most of the women find out that they have it during their routine check-up or screening.

Some expectant mothers do notice subtle signs of gestational diabetes, which are quite similar to those of other types of diabetes. However, these signs are also somehow similar to all pregnant women, therefore it is not easy to realize that there is something wrong with the body.

Some of the signs of gestational diabetes include:

• Feeling Thirsty

You may want to drink a lot more than you usually do. You’ll feel thirsty even when you haven’t eaten something salty, run around on a hot day, or do something else that would make you want an extra glass of water.

• Feeling Tired (fatigued)

If you feel fatigued, even early in the day, it may be more than the strain of being pregnant that’s causing you to be so tired. Ask your doctor if you could be at risk for gestational diabetes.

• Feeling hungrier and eat more than usual
• Peeing more than usual
• Blurred Vision
• Snoring.

Gestational Diabetes Risk Factors

Some of the classical risk factors for developing gestational diabetes are;

• Being overweight, obese or severely obese increases the risk.
• Polycystic ovary syndrome.
• A previous diagnosis of gestational diabetes or prediabetes, impaired glucose tolerance, or impaired fasting glycemia
• Maternal age – a woman’s risk factor increases as she gets older (especially for women over 35 years of age).
• A family history revealing a first-degree relative with type 2 diabetes.
• Paternal age – one study found that a father’s age over 55 years was associated with Gestational diabetes.
• Ethnicity (those with higher risk factors include African-Americans, Afro-Caribbeans, Native Americans, Hispanics, Pacific Islanders, and people originating from South Asia)
• A previous pregnancy which resulted in a child with macrosomia.
• Previous poor obstetric history.

Gestational Diabetes Complications

Gestational diabetes that’s not carefully managed can lead to high blood sugar levels. High blood sugar can cause complications for you and your baby, together with an increased likelihood of needing a Caesarean section to deliver.

Complications that may affect the baby

If you have gestational diabetes, your baby may be at increased risk of:

• Excessive birth weight.

Higher than normal blood sugar in mothers can cause their babies to grow too large. Very large babies (those who weigh 9 pounds or more) are more likely to become wedged in the birth canal, have birth injuries or need a C-section birth.
Early (preterm) birth.

High blood sugar may increase women’s risk of early labour and delivery before the due date. Or early delivery may be recommended because the baby is large.

• Serious breathing difficulties.

Babies born early to mothers with gestational diabetes may experience respiratory distress syndrome — a condition that makes breathing difficult.

• Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).

Sometimes babies of mothers with gestational diabetes have low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) shortly after birth. Severe episodes of hypoglycemia may cause seizures in the baby. Prompt feedings and sometimes an intravenous glucose solution can return the baby’s blood sugar level to normal.

• Obesity and type 2 diabetes later in life.

Babies of mothers who have gestational diabetes have a higher risk of developing obesity and type 2 diabetes later in life.

• Stillbirth. Untreated gestational diabetes can result in a baby’s death either before or shortly after birth.

Complications that may affect the Mother

Gestational diabetes may also increase your risk of:

• High blood pressure and preeclampsia.

Gestational diabetes raises your risk of high blood pressure, as well as preeclampsia — a serious complication of pregnancy that causes high blood pressure and other symptoms that can threaten the lives of both mother and baby.

• Having a surgical delivery (C-section). You’re more likely to have a C-section if you have gestational diabetes.
• Future diabetes.

If you have gestational diabetes, you’re more likely to get it again during a future pregnancy. You also have a higher risk of type 2 diabetes as you get older.

Gestational Diabetes Tests and Diagnosis

If you haven’t any known records of diabetes and normal blood sugar levels at the start of your pregnancy, your doctor will probably screen you for gestational diabetes when you’re 24 to 28 weeks pregnant.

Your doctor will come up with a glucose challenge or glucose screening test. You’ll drink something sweet to elevate your blood sugar. An hour later, you’ll take a blood check to show how your body treated all that sugar.

If the results show that your blood sugar is better than a positive level, normally around 200 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), you’ll need an oral glucose tolerance test. This way checking your blood sugar after going without meals and having a 3-hour glucose check.

Gestational Diabetes Prevention

There are no ensured preventions when it comes to gestational diabetes, however, the more wholesome habits you can adopt earlier than pregnancy, the better. If you’ve had gestational diabetes, these healthy choices may additionally reduce your threat of getting it again in future pregnancies or growing type 2 diabetes in the future.

Eat healthy foods. Choose foods high in fiber and low in fat and calories. Focus on fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Strive for variety to help you achieve your goals without compromising taste or nutrition. Watch portion sizes.

Keep active. Exercising before and during pregnancy can help protect you from developing gestational diabetes. Aim for 30 minutes of moderate activity on most days of the week. Take a brisk daily walk. Ride your bike. Swim laps. Short bursts of activity, for example, parking further away from the store when you run errands or taking a short walk break, all add up too.

Start pregnancy at a healthy weight. If you’re planning to get pregnant, losing extra weight beforehand may help you have a healthier pregnancy. Focus on making lasting changes to your eating habits that can help you through pregnancy, such as eating more vegetables and fruits.

Don’t gain more weight than recommended. Gaining some weight during pregnancy is normal and healthy. But gaining too much weight too quickly can up your risk of gestational diabetes. Ask your doctor what a reasonable amount of weight gain is for you.

Gestational Diabetes FAQs

What is gestational diabetes?

Gestational diabetes is a condition in which females without diabetes develop excessive blood sugar levels in the course of pregnancy.

Would a pregnant diabetic woman have diabetic babies?

Blood sugar that is not well controlled in a woman with gestational diabetes can lead to problems for the pregnant woman and the baby. Therefore the baby will be at a higher risk of being diabetic.

Why do women have sugar (diabetes) during pregnancy?

This is because, during pregnancy, a woman’s body produces larger quantities of a few hormones, such as; human placental lactogen (hPL) and hormones that cause glucose to build up in your blood.

What should I do if I have gestational diabetes?

If you have gestational diabetes, maintaining a healthy, balanced diet may help you manage your symptoms without needing medication. In general, your diet should include protein plus the right mix of carbohydrates and fats. Too many carbohydrates can lead to spikes in your blood sugar.

What are the risks if a diabetic woman gets pregnant?

If a diabetic woman gets pregnant she’ll be having a slightly higher risk than other women who encounter diabetes during their expectancy. The risks are having a miscarriage or developing high blood pressure during pregnancy.

How dangerous is diabetes in pregnancy?

Gestational diabetes raises a woman’s risk of high blood pressure, as well as preeclampsia — a serious complication of pregnancy that causes high blood pressure and other symptoms that can threaten the lives of both mother and baby

Do women with gestational diabetes often have no symptoms?

When it comes to gestational diabetes, women who have this condition don’t usually have the symptoms or may chalk them up to pregnancy. Most of the women find out that they have it during their routine check-up or screening.

Can a blood test for sugar show that a woman is pregnant?

Pregnancy affects blood sugar, yes. Some ladies even get a form of diabetes due to being pregnant, which often goes away after birth. However, you can not tell someone is pregnant via a blood sugar level.

Blood sugar can vary in non-pregnant women, and even if you knew what their blood sugar usually ran before she was pregnant you wouldn’t realize if any change in blood sugar became due to her eating before the test, her being pregnant, her being stressed (which also can raise blood sugar), etc. There are too many elements to predict being pregnant from blood sugar.

In what way can gestational diabetes hurt a baby?

Babies born to women with gestational diabetes (GD) can also have trouble with respiration and jaundice. These infants may additionally have low blood sugar at the beginning.

Large babies are more likely to experience beginning trauma, including damage to their shoulders, during vaginal delivery. Large infants may additionally want special care in a neonatal in a depth care unit (NICU). There also is an increased danger of stillbirth with GD.

How Can I Avoid Gestational Diabetes During pregnancy?

It is not always possible to prevent gestational diabetes. Certain risk factors make it more likely that a woman will develop gestational diabetes during pregnancy. However, maintaining a healthy weight before and after conception, eating well, and exercising regularly during pregnancy can all reduce the risk.

What type of Food is good for Gestational diabetic pregnant Women?

• Plenty of whole fruits and vegetables.
• Moderate amounts of lean proteins and healthy fats.
• Moderate amounts of whole grains, such as bread, cereal, pasta, and rice, plus starchy vegetables, such as corn and peas.
• Fewer foods that have a lot of sugar, such as soft drinks, fruit juices, and pastries.

Can a diabetic have children?

Yes. somen with diabetes (both type 1 and type 2) can have a healthy baby. It is recommended you plan your pregnancy. This means making sure your diabetes is well managed and your general health is good.

Why do you get diabetes while pregnant?

During pregnancy, the placenta makes hormones that cause glucose to build up in the blood. However, if the body can’t make enough insulin or stops using insulin as it should, the blood sugar levels rise, as a result, gestational diabetes.

Can a pregnant lady with diabetes have a normal delivery?

Having gestational diabetes does increase your risk of needing a c-section, but most women with the condition are able to have an uncomplicated vaginal birth. Occasionally, very large babies and babies with shoulder dystocia don’t get enough oxygen during birth, which can have serious consequences.

Can a diabetic mom have a healthy baby?

An infant of a mother with diabetes is a baby who is born to a mother with diabetes. Because the mother has diabetes, the baby is at risk for problems. People with diabetes have high levels of sugar in their blood (hyperglycemia). Over time, this can lead to serious health problems.

Is pregnancy possible for someone with type 1 diabetes or not?

You can have a healthy pregnancy with type 1 diabetes, although managing your diabetes might be harder. It’s important to have good blood sugar control before and during pregnancy. It’s recommended you have an HbA1c of below 48mmol/mol when you’re pregnant.

Is glucose good for pregnant women?

Glucose is necessary for everybody, including expectant mothers. Large amounts will cause obesity and possibly gestational diabetes. If gestational diabetes is present, women should limit total carbohydrate substantially.

Is it common to develop diabetes after pregnancy?

About nine per cent of pregnant women have gestational diabetes, which usually goes away after they give birth. However, about half these women will develop Type 2 diabetes later in life.

What food should you avoid for diabetes during pregnancy?

One should try to avoid eating simple carbohydrates, such as potatoes, french-fries, white rice, candy, soda, and other sweets. This is because they cause your blood sugar to rise quickly after you eat such foods.

Who is at high risk of developing gestational diabetes?

One woman may be more likely than other women to develop gestational diabetes if: she’s older than 25. She’s overweight or obese and not physically active.

Is it healthy to eat a lot of candy while being pregnant?

No, because it poses a risk to both mother and baby. The excess glucose in the candy will cross the placental barrier to cause a buildup of fat in the fetus. Such a baby is believed to be more prone to obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Can I get pregnant while my husband has type 2 diabetes?

Yes, a woman can get pregnant while the husband has diabetes type 2 and it has nothing to do with the woman.

How is a glucose level of 64 mg/dl for a pregnant woman?

A glucose level of 64mg/dl for a pregnant woman is dangerous because it is too low. The standard level of blood sugar for a normal person during fasting is 70 mg/dl and that for a person with diabetes is 80mg/dl during fasting and it should not vary more than 5-10 points either way. Therefore, blood glucose of 64mg/dl for a pregnant woman would definitely indicate malnutrition and might be the cause of gestational diabetes.