Gestational diabetes, also known as diabetes during pregnancy, is a condition in which blood sugar levels are higher than normal. If not detected and treated promptly, it can negatively affect the health of both mother and baby.
What is gestational diabetes?
Diabetes is a condition in which the body either does not produce enough insulin or cannot use insulin effectively. Insulin is a hormone that helps blood sugar (glucose) enter the body’s cells to be used as energy. When glucose cannot move into the cells, it accumulates in the bloodstream, leading to high blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia).
Persistently high blood sugar can cause problems throughout the body. It may damage blood vessels and nerves, leading to complications that affect the eyes, kidneys, and heart. During early pregnancy, uncontrolled high blood sugar may increase the risk of birth defects in the baby.
There are three main types of diabetes:
- Type 1 diabetes: an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas.
- Type 2 diabetes: occurs when the body does not produce enough insulin or does not use it properly. This type is not an autoimmune disease.
- Gestational diabetes: a condition in which blood sugar levels rise, and other diabetes symptoms appear during pregnancy in a woman who has not previously been diagnosed with diabetes.
Symptoms of gestational diabetes in pregnant women
For most expectant mothers, gestational diabetes does not cause noticeable signs or symptoms. Constant thirst and more frequent urination are the possible symptoms.
If possible, seek a health check-up before deciding to become pregnant so that doctors can assess the risk of diabetes in pregnant women along with the mother’s overall health. During pregnancy, expectant mothers should receive counseling and undergo diabetes testing at 24–28 weeks of gestation. In cases where gestational diabetes is present, more frequent monitoring will be required.
Causes of gestational diabetes in pregnant women
Normally, different hormones help regulate blood sugar. However, during pregnancy, hormone levels change, making it harder for the body to manage blood sugar effectively.
In addition, the placenta - a temporary organ that provides nutrients and oxygen to the baby also produces hormones. By late pregnancy, hormones such as estrogen, cortisol, and placental hormones can block the action of insulin. When insulin is blocked, this is called insulin resistance, meaning glucose cannot enter the body’s cells and instead remains in the bloodstream, causing elevated blood sugar levels.
There are also risk factors that increase the likelihood of developing diabetes during pregnancy:
- Being overweight or obese
- Lack of physical activity
- A history of gestational diabetes or prediabetes before pregnancy
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
- Family history of diabetes
Some women already have diabetes before pregnancy, called pre-gestational diabetes. Others develop a type of diabetes that only occurs during pregnancy, known as gestational diabetes.
Complications of gestational diabetes in pregnant women
If diabetes in pregnancy is not carefully monitored and managed, high blood sugar can cause serious problems for both mother and baby.
Complications affecting the baby
- Excessive birth weight (macrosomia): high maternal blood sugar may cause the baby to grow too large, increasing the risk of perineal tears during delivery.
- Preterm birth: elevated blood sugar can increase the likelihood of early labor.
- Severe breathing difficulties: babies born prematurely to mothers with gestational diabetes may develop respiratory distress syndrome, a condition that makes breathing difficult.
- Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia): sometimes newborns of mothers with gestational diabetes experience hypoglycemia immediately after birth. Severe episodes can cause seizures.
- Higher risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes later in life: children of mothers with gestational diabetes are more likely to develop obesity and type 2 diabetes as they grow older.
- Stillbirth: untreated gestational diabetes can result in the baby’s death before or shortly after delivery.
Complications of diabetes in pregnant women that may affect the mother
- High blood pressure and preeclampsia: gestational diabetes increases the risk of hypertension and preeclampsia - a serious pregnancy complication caused by high blood pressure and related symptoms, which can endanger the lives of both mother and baby.
- Cesarean delivery: women with gestational diabetes are more likely to require a C-section due to excessive fetal growth.
- Future risk of diabetes: if you develop gestational diabetes, you are more likely to experience it again in future pregnancies and face a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.
Prevention of gestational diabetes in pregnant women
There is no absolute way to prevent gestational diabetes, but adopting healthy habits, especially before pregnancy can significantly lower the risk. For women who already had gestational diabetes, maintaining these habits may also help reduce the chance of recurrence in future pregnancies.
- Eat a healthy diet: choose foods that are high in fiber and low in fat and calories. Focus on fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Incorporate a variety of foods to maintain both flavor and nutritional balance.
- Stay physically active: regular exercise before and during pregnancy can help lower the risk of gestational diabetes. Aim for at least 30 minutes of activity daily, such as walking, swimming, or prenatal yoga.
- Maintain a healthy weight: if you are planning to conceive, achieving a healthy weight beforehand can support a safer and healthier pregnancy.
In addition, expectant mothers diagnosed with gestational diabetes should carefully follow their doctors’ guidance to protect both their own health and their baby’s well-being.
If you have concerns about gestational diabetes, visit Hong Ngoc General Hospital for an in-depth consultation and personalized advice from leading specialists. You can also register for counseling HERE.
Note: The information provided in this article by Hong Ngoc General Hospital is for reference only and is not a substitute for professional medical diagnosis or treatment. Do not self-medicate. For accurate assessment and proper treatment planning, please visit a hospital for direct examination, diagnosis, and consultation with a physician.
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