Left unmanaged, high blood sugar can cause complications during pregnancy, labor, and even after delivery. November is National Diabetes Month, and it’s the perfect time to increase awareness of why treating gestational diabetes is crucial for a healthy pregnancy and safe delivery.
If you have gestational diabetes, you’re at an increased risk of complications during pregnancy and delivery. These risks can be reduced by working closely with your prenatal care providers to control your blood sugar.
Board-certified obstetrician Alan B. Patterson, MD, provides exceptional pregnancy and delivery care to women from Coral Springs, Florida, and the surrounding communities. With his extensive experience managing high-risk pregnancies, Dr. Patterson takes a compassionate, patient-centered approach and strives to develop strong doctor-patient relationships.
While gestational diabetes usually resolves after childbirth, it’s a serious condition that requires treatment to keep you and your baby healthy. Here’s why.
During pregnancy, your placenta produces hormones that support your baby’s growth and development. However, these hormones can also interfere with how your body uses insulin, leading to insulin resistance more readily.
For some women, this resistance results in gestational diabetes, where the body is less able to regulate glucose levels properly. Gestational diabetes is typically diagnosed through a glucose tolerance test that’s conducted between the 24th and 28th week of pregnancy.
While not all women experience symptoms, some might notice increased thirst, frequent urination, or fatigue. However, even in the absence of noticeable symptoms, managing gestational diabetes is critical for avoiding complications.
Without proper treatment, gestational diabetes can lead to several complications for both mother and baby. For your baby, uncontrolled blood sugar levels raise the risk of macrosomia (high birth weight), which in turn increases the risk of complications during delivery and the chances of needing a C-section birth.
Babies born to mothers with gestational diabetes are also more likely to experience low blood sugar shortly after birth, which can cause seizures without proper management.
Untreated gestational diabetes also increases the likelihood of developing preeclampsia, a condition marked by high blood pressure that can be life-threatening for you and your baby. Additionally, gestational diabetes raises your risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life. That’s why it’s essential to take control of the condition during pregnancy.
Managing gestational diabetes involves a combination of healthy eating, regular exercise, and monitoring your blood sugar levels. Dr. Patterson works with you to develop a personalized plan to keep your blood sugar within a safer range throughout your pregnancy.
Eating a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins is key to managing your blood sugar levels. Switching from three main meals to smaller, more frequent meals can help prevent unhealthy spikes in blood glucose levels.
Regular physical activity, such as walking or swimming, helps your body use insulin more effectively. Regular, at-home blood sugar level checks are also helpful. Usually a diabetic diet is sufficient to have normal blood sugars if you have developed Gestational diabetes, which a specific diabetic nutritionist will educate you about. If that doesn’t work then sometimes you may need an oral medication that is safe to take during pregnancy . Very rarely you would need insulin, if you are not already diabetic before pregnancy.
After delivery, your blood sugar levels will likely return to normal, but it’s important to follow up with Dr. Patterson. Women who’ve had gestational diabetes have a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the future, so maintaining a healthy lifestyle and having regular screenings is key to long-term health.
While gestational diabetes does increase the risk of complications for you and your baby, our team can provide personalized care to manage your gestational diabetes effectively. Don’t put off taking charge of your health and your baby’s well-being; schedule a visit with Dr. Patterson and learn more about how our team can help you have a safe pregnancy and delivery.
