Gestational diabetes is a condition in which the level of sugar in the blood of a woman increases during pregnancy. This happens in about 4% of pregnancies. Usually pregnancy is diagnosed in the later stages and often in women who before sugar is not (diabetes).

Gestational diabetes is caused by hormonal and other changes during pregnancy. Our body converts food into energy with the help of insulin. When insulin levels are low, or the body cannot use insulin effectively (ie, insulin resistance), blood glucose levels rise.

Gestational diabetes should be diagnosed and treated at the earliest as it can lead to complications for both mother and baby. This increases the risk of pre-eclampsia, depression and the need for surgery.

It can be avoided by keeping the weight under control and with the habit of exercising regularly before pregnancy. Gestational diabetes can be treated by proper diet. Regular exercise can contribute to controlling glucose.

What should be the normal blood sugar level during pregnancy

Its different range is seen by measuring blood sugar twice on an empty stomach and after eating food. In both cases, it is important to have blood sugar in the normal range . What should be the amount of blood sugar during pregnancy, it is mentioned below.

• Empty stomach - 60-90 mg/di
• Before meals - 60-105 mg/dL
• 1 hour after a meal - 130-140 mg/dL
• 2 hours after a meal - less than 120 mg/dL
• 2 PM to 6 AM - 60-90 mg/dL

What are the symptoms of gestational diabetes?

There are usually no symptoms or signs in gestational diabetes. This is why it is so important to have a screening test. Sometimes symptoms like increased thirst or frequent urination can be a sign of this.

How is gestational diabetes diagnosed?

Gestational diabetes is diagnosed by a blood test. Most pregnant women are tested between the 24th and 28th week of pregnancy. But if you are at risk of getting it, your doctor will test it early in pregnancy.

This can be confirmed by a blood test. In the screening test, you are given sweet beverages. This is done because it helps to test the level of glucose in your blood after an hour. If the screening test doesn't come back normal, you may need to have additional tests. Another test for this is usually the Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT). For this test, your baseline blood sugar level is checked and then measured after 1, 2, and sometimes three hours later.

Glycosylated hemoglobin or hemoglobin A1c is also a type of test This test is used to check blood sugar levels in diabetic patients over a long period of time. Hemoglobin A1c level is an average measure of blood glucose level over the past few months as well.

Causes of gestational diabetes in pregnancy

Gestational diabetes can make women resistant to insulin because of many changes such as hormonal or other changes that occur in the body during pregnancy. Insulin is a hormone produced by specialized cells in the pancreas that helps the body effectively metabolize glucose which is then used as energy. When insulin levels are low or the body is unable to use insulin properly (insulin resistance), the level of glucose in the blood rises.

It is normal to have some degree of insulin resistance and impaired glucose tolerance in late pregnancy. This is enough to cause gestational diabetes in some women. The factors that increase the risk of getting gestational diabetes are as follows:

1. Obesity.
2. Flaying suffered from gestational diabetes in a previous pregnancy.
3. Birth of an overweight baby (more than 4 kg) in a previous pregnancy.
4. Having a parent or sibling suffering from type 2 diabetes.
5. Suffering from Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).
6. Already suffering from sugar.

Gestational diabetes treatment in Abu Dhabi

Adam and Eve Specialized Medical Centre provides treatment for gestational diabetes to help patients successfully recover from this disease. Book an appointment now with our gynecologists.