Pregnancy hormones sometimes cause insulin resistance in women, which can lead to gestational diabetes . This is a temporary condition, but it needs to be monitored.
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This occurs because pregnancy overloads the pancreas due to the action of some placental hormones (placental lactogen, cortisol, progesterone, among others) that naturally cause resistance to the action of insulin. It turns out that, in some women, the pancreas is unable to increase insulin production for the body. As a consequence, maternal hyperglycemia occurs.
How does gestational diabetes occur?
Gestational diabetes affects 2% to 4% of pregnant women and usually appears in the third trimester of pregnancy. In fact, diabetes screening is part of prenatal care.
Women with gestational diabetes have a higher risk of complications during pregnancy and childbirth, and the risk of having diabetes in a new pregnancy increases by about 48%.
For children, the effects include risks of type 2 diabetes, obesity and dyslipidemia in childhood. Another risk is the birth of babies weighing more than 4 kilos. When the mother has gestational diabetes, the prevalence of large fetuses varies from 13.6% to 22.3%.
What are the symptoms of gestational diabetes?
Gestational diabetes is silent in most cases. When it manifests with symptoms, the most common are weight gain, the need to urinate more frequently, increased thirst and increased appetite.
Is there a cure for gestational diabetes?
Gestational diabetes usually resolves itself after delivery. However, if left unchecked during pregnancy, this condition can trigger other health problems, such as heart disease , kidney damage , and even death of both the mother and the fetus. Therefore, medical monitoring is essential to ensure the health of the pregnant woman and the baby, as well as a smooth delivery.
For the pregnancy to proceed without complications, without fetal malformations, and for the birth to occur safely, without prematurity, some precautions must be taken:
- Lifestyle changes, including dietary adjustments and some physical activity – following the guidance of a professional;
- Weight control during pregnancy;
- Monitoring and control of the glycemic index. Self-monitoring of glucose levels, with finger prick (drop of blood on a test strip and evaluation by glucometer), is also one of the methods of controlling gestational diabetes. Blood tests should be performed during prenatal care;
- Use diabetes medications correctly if your doctor thinks it is necessary. After giving birth, these medications are usually discontinued.