Gestational Diabetes is a very prevalent condition faced by women during pregnancy. Blood sugar during pregnancy tends to fluctuate in every case. However, the high blood sugar complications in this case can have a direct impact on the health of the mother and the baby. According to recent studies by scholars, 1 in every 6 births is affected by gestational disabilities in 2025. Thus, it has become a growing concern for all women going through pregnancy or planning to expand their families.
This is where speciality clinics like KINS Diabetes become prominent and essential. With a wide range of services and experienced professionals, they care for all issues related to diabetes with utmost care and efficiency.
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Insulin resistance in pregnancy usually occurs due to the hormone fluctuations caused by the placenta when a patient is pregnant. This is one of the major reasons why the pancreas is unable to secrete the right hormones. The lack of proper regulation of insulin increases the concentration of blood sugar in the patient's bloodstream. Along with this, there are other factors which cause gestational diabetes in women.
This condition usually occurs when the mother is going through the second or third trimester of the pregnancy. Since the pregnancy has advanced very far, it can have a direct effect on the development of the embryo. However, with the help of early intervention from specialists, in most cases, mothers can deliver safely.
The placenta, which holds the unborn child, usually produces hormones which can spike the blood sugar during pregnancy. These hormones also interfere with hormones like insulin and cortisol, which can cause issues related to the consumption of glucose in the body.
If the mother can be considered obese, there is a chance that she may face gestational diabetes. This is because excess body fat can cause the production of proinflammatory cytokines and free fatty acids (FFAs), causing insulin resistance.
In case the patient has a first-degree relative (like a parent or sibling) with type 2 diabetes, it increases their chances of having the condition. This is not only due to the genes' dispositions but also the shared lifestyle with the family members.
When the patients have already been treated for gestational diabetes during their previous pregnancy, there is a high chance of getting the condition in the next pregnancy.
This is connected to the impact of hormone changes caused by the placenta in the pregnant woman’s body. This increasing demand becomes hard to keep up with, causing high blood sugar levels.
Just like common diabetes, gestational diabetes can develop silently, only being identified at a very late stage. However, there are still some factors which you can look out for in early intervention. Let us some of the possible symptoms:
While this is common among pregnant mothers, it can also be a sign of spike blood sugar levels during pregnancy. This is because the kidneys try to flush out the excess sugar from the body.
This factor is connected to frequent urination. With the heightened loss of fluids, this condition creates a cycle of drinking and urinating, which can be very annoying for the patients.
Pregnancy itself can be a tiring time for mothers. However, if the patient feels extremely exhausted for no certain reason, all the time, it can be a sign of gestational diabetes.
Morning nausea is common during pregnancy; however, if the patient is facing constant stomach discomfort accompanied by nausea, it can be seen as a sign of diabetes, but only accompanied by other symptoms.
If the body is unable to make use of glucose effectively, it starts sending signals to get more fuel. This leads to the patients feeling hungrier than usual and feeling weak, no matter how much they eat.
During pregnancy, mothers are required to get blood sugar tests to analyse the overall well-being of their health. This screening itself can be very helpful in diagnosing gestational diabetes early on. However, to get a better result, doctors can suggest the following two diagnostic tests:
Also known as glucose screening, this test consists of the patient drinking a sweet liquid, after which the blood sugar levels are checked through blood samples.
This test often follows the challenge test to confirm the diagnosis of gestational diabetes. It involves a patient who has been fasting for eight hours, and their blood is drawn before and after having a sweet drink. This allows the doctors to compare and analyse blood sugar levels better.
When it comes to the treatment of gestational diabetes, it involves simple steps. This includes monitoring fetal development with extra ultrasounds and reviewing blood sugar levels regularly to manage them effectively. Extra help and guidance from a diabetologist can be more helpful and effective during this phase
When it comes to risks, some patients are more receptive to gestational diabetes and pregnancy complications. This is why it is essential to seek assistance throughout the pregnancy from a well-known diabetic clinic in Siliguri to stay away from possible risks. Let us look into the factors which make some mothers more prone to this condition:
Women who conceive babies after the age of 35 have bodies that do not respond to insulin actively, which increases their chances of having high blood sugar during pregnancy.
As stated before, excess fat can lead to insulin resistance. Thus, the risk of gestational diabetes is high in women who were obese before their pregnancy.
People who work desk jobs or live inactive lifestyles tend to build up insulin resistance. This is because their muscles are not actively consuming glucose and thus can cause gestational diabetes.
Hormonal disorders such as PCOS can cause problems related to hormonal imbalance, as they affect the hormone regulation of the ovaries. Similar to the impact of the placenta, this can increase the risk of gestational diabetes in pregnant women.
If there has been a previous case of miscarriage or any other misfortune, such as stillbirth, the mother may have some underlying health issues which may need to be addressed, or it could result in gestational diabetes.
