Gestational diabetes
Wednesday 6th May 2009 12:17
Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) is a type of diabetes that arises during pregnancy (usually during the second or third trimester). In some women, GDM occurs because the body cannot produce enough insulin to meet the extra needs of pregnancy. During pregnancy, various hormones block the usual action of insulin. This helps to make sure your growing baby gets enough glucose. Your body needs to produce more insulin to cope with these changes. Gestational diabetes develops when your body can't meet the extra insulin demands of the pregnancy.
Symptoms of gestational diabetes Gestational diabetes doesn't usually cause any symptoms. However, sometimes you may have symptoms of high blood sugar, such as: increased thirst needing to urinate frequently tiredness However, these are also common symptoms in normal pregnancy. Gestational diabetes isn't an immediate threat to your health. However, poorly controlled diabetes in pregnancy puts you at a higher risk of various problems. These include: a condition called pre-eclampsia, which causes high blood pressure premature labour having too much amniotic fluid You are also more likely to develop gestational diabetes in future pregnancies, and are at a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.
