Pregnancy diabetes

Pregnancy diabetes

Pregnancy diabetes is diabetes that develops and is detected during pregnancy. It is temporary diabetes that, in the vast majority of cases, disappears on its own again after birth. However, pregnant women with gestational diabetes are predisposed to diabetes for the rest of their lives and should go for regular checkups.

Symptoms of gestational diabetes

There are not many symptoms of gestational diabetes, but they are the same as with type 2 diabetes:

• Frequent urination

• Great thirst

You will usually not notice the symptoms. Therefore, a urine sample is taken as a standard procedure when you go for a routine check-up with the doctor or midwife. If the doctor or midwife assesses your increased risk of gestational diabetes, you will be offered additional examinations.

This is something that pregnant women are constantly checked for, as diabetes is a severe condition for both you as a pregnant woman and your child if it is not detected.

Glucose load pregnant

A glucose load is a test to check if you have gestational diabetes. During the test, you will be asked to drink 250 ml of fluid with a lot of sugar. Then it will be waited for how your body reacts and whether you get an abnormally elevated blood sugar level, measured using blood samples taken before and 2 hours after the glucose load.

You will not receive the answer immediately, as the blood samples must first be analyzed.

Treatment of gestational diabetes

Suppose it is proven that you have gestational diabetes after the glucose load. In that case, you will be called for an interview, where you will receive information about diabetes and be shown and instructed on how to measure your blood sugar.

• In addition, the treatment consists of:

• Dietary change (meaningful)

• Regular (and preferably daily) exercise

• Insulin treatment (in some cases)

If you have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes, you must adhere to the diet change that consists of a low-sugar diet. Only 15-20% of pregnant women who develop diabetes need insulin treatment.

Risk of gestational diabetes

It is essential to get tested for gestational diabetes and treat it if you have it, as it has the following risks:

• Pregnancy poisoning

• Premature birth

• Jaundice in the child

• Heart defect in the child

• Cesarean birth

• The baby is getting too big.

• Later development of type 2 diabetes in you

To ensure everything is as it should be if you have gestational diabetes, measure your blood sugar at home several times a week and go for checkups several times during pregnancy.

It is also recommended that when you detect gestational diabetes, you come for regular check-ups at 1-2 year intervals to check whether you are developing type 2 diabetes. The first check-up should take place about three months after birth.