Gestational Diabetes
Proper healthcare before and during pregnancy will help prevent birth defects and other poor outcomes, such as miscarriage or stillbirth. If your Physician or Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) at the OBGYN Group of Eastern Connecticut has told you that you have been diagnosed with a condition call Gestational Diabetes, please read on. Although your Physician / CNM has explained to you this diagnosis and the recommended treatment, we believe additional communication and information in this article is helpful.
What is Gestational Diabetes?
According to the American Diabetes Association*, Gestational Diabetes is diagnosed around 28 weeks or later and it starts when your body is not able to make and use all the insulin it needs for pregnancy. Without enough insulin, glucose (sugar) cannot leave the blood and be converted to energy. Glucose builds up in the blood to high levels which is called hyperglycemia.
A diagnosis of Gestational Diabetes doesn’t mean that you had diabetes before you conceived, or that you will have diabetes after giving birth, but it is important that you follow our advice, specifically as it relates to managing your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels while you’re planning pregnancy or are pregnant. Fortunately, OBGYN Group of Manchester will be there to monitor you and the baby during your pregnancy. In most instances, this condition can be managed well.
How To Manage Gestational Diabetes During Pregnancy
Adherence to our advice (ADA diet, required glucose testing, etc.) will improve the likelihood that you and your baby both remain healthy. However, poor control of diabetes in a pregnant woman does increase the chances for birth injury because of any of the following complications:
- Baby’s large size
- Shoulder Dystocia
- Increased risk of cesarean section
- Still birth
We’ve included some references below from the federal government and national associations to assist with providing additional information about Gestational Diabetes. Of course, our physicians and nurse midwives are available to discuss your condition with you, answer any question you may have and help with the management and the treatment of your condition.
References:
- American Diabetes Association: http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/gestational/what-is-gestational-diabetes.html
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists: www.acog.org
- National Diabetes Education Program: https://www.niddk.nih.gov
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: http://www.cdc.gov
- General Information: http://www.cdc.gov/features/diabetespregnancy
- Audio/Podcast – Click on “Listen to audio/podcast” then click on the “Browse” tab to choose the topic of “Gestational Diabetes”