Gestational Diabetes: Diet, Monitoring and Safe Delivery Pregnancy is one of the beautiful and overwhelming journeys for every woman. The body adapts to changes by growing and nurturing, but sometimes, unexpected challenges start to appear. Gestational diabetes is a condition that changes the odds of blood sugar fluctuation. But it does not mean that every pregnant woman can be impacted by gestational diabetes. Around 2% to 14% of pregnant women are impacted by this world wide and through potential safety concerns and monitoring, it is easy to manage. What is Gestational Diabetes? Gestational diabetes is one that usually develops in pregnant women who did not have diabetes previously. It does not matter whether the mother has diabetes before pregnancy or not; hormonal changes and their interference with the mother’s insulin can cause this issue. Hormones produced by the placenta cause insulin resistance, which means that glucose does not enter cells through the blood and remains in blood. On the other hand, the body makes efforts to overcome this condition and makes insulin. However, when the body fails to deal with this situation, the level of sugar in the blood will increase. When does Gestational Diabetes Happen? During the 24th and 28th week of pregnancy, the diagnosis of gestational diabetes is conducted through a screening test. However, the test is done before this period as well because of various risk factors, including high body weight before pregnancy, family history of diabetes, history of gestational diabetes in the previous pregnancy, PCOS/ PMOS and high incidence in Indian Population. How does Gestational Diabetes happen? During pregnancy, women’s hormones play roller coasters. Due to this, the placenta starts to produce more hormones to support the growth of the baby, and this starts to interfere with the mother’s insulin, leading to insulin resistance. The pancreas cannot produce enough amounts of insulin, and the body is unable to respond to that insulin properly. As the placenta and release hormones grow to support the baby, it blocks insulin function, building sugar in the blood. Symptoms of Gestational Diabetes Feeling thirsty all the time Unusual fatigue Recurrent infection Temporary blurred vision Hunger is increased twice even though you are full Urge to pee very often Controlling Gestational Diabetes Make sure to add a healthy diet that includes protein, healthy and complex carbs, fiber, and nutrition, and make sure to avoid sweets and drinks along with any processed food. 10 to 30 minutes of daily exercise is important after every meal, and it also helps muscles to use extra glucose. But it is crucial that you consult with your gynecologist first and then start the routine. Regular monitoring and check-ups can help you know how the body is reacting to different stages of pregnancy, and what steps you can implement to improve your journey. Contact Us Website - Cradle Children Hospital Phone +91 83770 10161 Conclusion Gestational diabetes can become a challenge if it is not controlled and properly managed. During pregnancy, you are not just responsible for your health; you are accountable for your baby’s health. On top of that, if you are already dealing with diabetes or have a family history, then don’t delay in getting the right guidance. You can pass on the issue to your child as well.