The state of pregnancy is a time of wonder and amazement for every woman, no matter how many times she becomes pregnant. Unfortunately, it is equally a time when many of the changes which occur in the woman’s body throughout the nine month gestation period may cause some unpleasant symptoms which need to be checked and monitored by the medical team looking after the mother from conception to the actual birth. As these unusual symptoms may be dangerous to the mother and/or her baby, it is essential that any and all changes that the mother notices should be carefully checked out and monitored by her doctors.

One such change caused to a woman’s body during pregnancy which could turn out to be extremely dangerous and, in extreme cases, even fatal, is that of diabetes in pregnancy. The medical terminology for this condition is Gestational Diabetes. It is to be clearly understood that Gestational Diabetes only occurs after once fertilization has taken place and the foetus has lodged itself safely in the womb, thus creating what is known in medical circles as a ‘viable pregnancy’ – that is, a pregnancy that has every chance of going the full nine months of the gestation period. This article does not deal with the issues of women who already have diabetes – whether from childhood or later in life – and would like to become pregnant.

In order to understand the facts pertaining to Gestational Diabetes, one needs to know what causes it. All forms of diabetes are caused by a lack of the hormone insulin in the blood. Insulin is the active ingredient in one’s blood which breaks down sugars (also known as glucose) for the body’s energy needs and, when there is a lack of this component, one’s blood sugar level rises because the sugar is not being processed.

The mother’s production of insulin during pregnancy is altered and sometimes blocked by other hormones, to ensure that the baby gets just the right amount of glucose. For this reason, the mother should produce more insulin during the pregnancy but, in some cases, her body is just not able to do so – thus resulting in the condition known as Gestational Diabetes.

5 Things You Should Know About Gestational Diabetes

– Gestational Diabetes only occurs in between two and seven percent of pregnant mothers.

– Both the mother and the baby could suffer long term physical damage if the condition is not monitored, controlled and treated carefully.

– Gestational Diabetes usually only rears its ugly head during the second half of a pregnancy.

– In almost all cases, the symptoms of Gestational Diabetes disappear immediately upon the birth of the child when the mother’s blood sugar levels return to normal.

– If they do not return to normal, then it is most probable that the mother already had symptoms of Type I Diabetes before becoming pregnant.

Diabetes in all its forms is a dangerous and, if left untreated, often fatal disease. It is the root of many serious associated medical problems which cause the sufferer to deteriorate over time, so anyone who suspects that they may be a sufferer should consult a doctor immediately.

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Category: Wellness, Fitness and Diet
Keywords: Type I Diabetes ,Insulin,Gestational Diabetes,Diabetes,Pregnant Woman