Diabetes In Pregnancy: Causes And Treatment

Diabetes in pregnancy, also known as gestational diabetes, is a serious complication for expectant mothers. What are the causes and treatments?

Diabetes during pregnancy is also called gestational diabetes. Although this disorder is very similar to other types of diabetes, it is special because of the crucial time at which it occurs.

Ultimately, the pathophysiology of the disease is the same. Tissue cells cannot absorb the glucose that circulates in the blood,  and it exceeds normal values ​​for much of the day.

In addition, statistics indicate that, out of 100 pregnant women, nearly 7 suffer from diabetes during their pregnancy. This is quite a high number. Therefore,  the measurement of blood sugar is included in the monitoring and usual controls of pregnant women.

It is scientifically proven that,  if it is only gestational diabetes, the sugar levels return to normal once the pregnancy is terminated. It may take about 12 weeks to fully regularize. On the other hand, a woman who had diabetes during her pregnancy is more likely to develop type 2 diabetes in the future.

Causes of diabetes during pregnancy

The precise cause of the origin of gestational diabetes is not entirely clear. The end result is known to be the inability of cells to use blood glucose,  but it is difficult to elucidate why.

This is a normal digestive and nutritional process. This is because the glucose that enters the body stimulates the pancreas to produce insulin. Insulin is a hormone that instructs tissues to absorb circulating sugar and not leave it in the blood. Under normal conditions,  glucose always enters the cells and turns into energy for the correct functioning of the metabolism.

In diabetes, this mechanism is blocked. We know that during pregnancy the placenta is a hormone-producing organ. These various hormones have one characteristic in common: they inhibit the action of insulin. When the expected regulation gets out of hand, gestational diabetes occurs. This is evidenced by this article published in the Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics of Mexico.

Risk factors for gestational diabetes

Not all pregnant women have diabetes. In addition to the internal mechanisms that trigger it, a few risk factors that make women more conducive have been identified. Among these factors we find the following:

• History of diabetes: if the woman has had high blood sugar values ​​in the past. Or if a family member has diabetes.
• Diabetes in a previous pregnancy: If the woman has already suffered from gestational diabetes, the risk of developing it again is greater.
• Large babies: Similarly, when a previous pregnancy gave birth to a large baby ( more than 4 kilograms at birth ), the possibility of diabetes in a future pregnancy is high.
• Obesity and overweight: Women who were overweight before becoming pregnant, or who gain a lot of weight during pregnancy, often develop insulin resistance.

Treatment of diabetes in pregnancy

Diabetes in pregnancy is a therapeutic challenge for physicians. This is because many drugs that are usually used in type 2 diabetics are not suitable for pregnant women. Many of these substances can affect the development of the fetus.

Therefore, treatment requires strict monitoring aimed at controlling blood sugar levels through changes in habits. First of all, it is essential to establish a routine for measuring blood sugar. Until this stabilizes,  the pregnant woman can be asked to check her blood sugar several times a day using a device designed for this purpose.

On the other hand, feeding during gestation should be strict. It is not only necessary to regulate weight gain, but also to establish a diet program that does not overload the body with glucose. For the nutritionist, the challenge will be to  plan meals that do not increase blood sugar too much, while providing the calories necessary for the growth of the fetus.

The other pillar of treatment is physical exercise. Obviously with the limits specific to pregnancy. Exercise helps  stimulate cells to consume the sugar circulating in the blood.

Finally, the attending physician will assess the need for drug treatment. Since oral antidiabetics are not recommended, injectable insulin is used. In addition, as the health of the baby is also part of this control, the doctor will indicate a greater number of ultrasounds and examinations during the 9 months.

About diabetes in pregnancy

Gestational diabetes is a disorder that greatly complicates pregnancy. However,  there are mechanisms to detect the disorder at an early stage in order to address it properly. So mom and baby can go through this process with as little risk as possible.

It is therefore important to respect the prenatal checks and to follow the medical indications. If you have diabetes during pregnancy,  diet and exercise under professional supervision will be the mainstays of treatment.