Gestational Diabetes Symptoms

Gestational Diabetes: Introduction

Gestational diabetes occurs when a pregnant woman has high blood sugar only at the time of pregnancy, but has not had diabetes prior to becoming pregnant.

Pregnancy hormones can create problems with insulin and stops insulin from getting properly released. This leads to a rise in glucose levels in a woman who is pregnant.

What are the Gestational Diabetes Symptoms?

Normally, signs and symptoms of gestational diabetes start during later pregnancy stages. Many women with gestational diabetes remain asymptomatic. But in cases where symptoms and signs of gestational diabetes do occur, they may be similar to type II diabetes.

Though not considered as a health threat, gestational diabetes, if not properly controlled, can make you experience high blood sugar levels.

Some signs and symptoms for gestational diabetes:

• Excessive thirst
• Frequent and increased urination
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Tiredness
• Weight loss

Left untreated, gestational diabetes symptoms can turn more severe and you may experience blurred vision or recurrent vaginal infections. In addition, it can create health problems in the unborn baby too.

Often, gestational diabetes signs are common during pregnancy. Upon approaching the final trimester of your pregnancy term, a glucose tolerance test (to identify blood glucose levels) may be recommended by your health care provider.

Some women are diagnosed with diabetes after giving birth to the baby. In such a case, underlying diabetes was already present but has come to notice during the gestation period. It is treated with a medical course prescribed by the doctor.

Women can also get affected with gestational diabetes in their third term of pregnancy. This condition generally cures on its own following delivery of the child (post partum).

This can lead to health issues and may cause complications. An early diagnosis is therefore helpful in treating symptoms and saving you from health problems in the future.