Gestational diabetes can be a scary diagnosis, but like other forms of diabetes, it’s one that you can manager. It doesn’t mean that you had diabetes before you conceived or that you will have diabetes after you give birth. It means that, by working with your doctor, you can have a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby. No matter what, know that you have all the support you need for both you and your baby to be at your best.
We don’t know what causes gestational diabetes, but we know that you are not alone. We do know that the placenta supports the baby as it grows. Sometimes, these hormones also block the actions of the parent’s insulin to their body and it causes a problem called insulin resistance. This insulin resistance makes it hard for the parent’s body to use insulin. And this means that they may need up to 3 times as much insulin to compensate.
The key to treating it is to act quickly – as treatable as it is, gestational diabetes can hurt you and your baby. Work with your doctor to keep your blood sugar levels normal, through special meal plans and regular physical activity. Your treatment may also include daily blood sugar testing and insulin injections.
For more information, visit the American Diabetes Association website.