What causes Gestational Diabetes during pregnancy?

Created on : #feb2025

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Video Lecture

Understanding Gestational Diabetes: A Simple Explanation

What is Gestational Diabetes?

It's a type of diabetes that develops during pregnancy in women who didn't have diabetes before becoming pregnant.
It occurs when your body can't produce enough insulin to handle the increased demands of pregnancy.

Why Does Pregnancy Affect Blood Sugar?

During pregnancy, your body naturally becomes more resistant to insulin.
This is actually normal and helps provide extra fuel for your baby.
Your body usually compensates by producing more insulin.
If your body can't produce enough extra insulin, gestational diabetes develops.

What Happens in Your Body During Pregnancy?

Insulin Resistance Increases: Your body becomes 2-3 times more resistant to insulin.
Glucose Production Increases: Your pancreas produces about 30% more glucose.
Hormonal Changes: Pregnancy hormones, especially human placental lactogen (HPL), increase insulin resistance.

Who is More Likely to Develop Gestational Diabetes?

Women with:

Poor pancreatic beta cell reserve (cells that produce insulin) before pregnancy
Obesity before pregnancy
Family history of diabetes

Why Do Some Women Develop Gestational Diabetes While Others Don't?

Think of pregnancy as a "stress test" for your pancreas.
Women who develop gestational diabetes often had limited insulin-producing capacity before pregnancy.
When pregnancy increases insulin resistance, these women can't produce enough extra insulin to compensate.

Short-term Effects of Gestational Diabetes

For the Mother:

Higher blood sugar levels
Increased risk of pregnancy complications like preeclampsia
Need for blood sugar monitoring and management

For the Baby:

May grow larger than normal (macrosomia)
Higher risk of complications during delivery
May have higher insulin levels in their blood

Long-term Implications

For the Mother:

Higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life
Need for regular diabetes screening after pregnancy

For the Baby:

Increased risk of obesity in childhood
Higher chance of developing type 2 diabetes later in life

Key Takeaways

Gestational diabetes occurs when your body can't produce enough insulin to meet pregnancy's demands.
It's like a "stress test" that reveals how well your body can handle increased insulin needs.
While it usually goes away after pregnancy, it signals a higher risk of future diabetes.
Regular monitoring and proper management during pregnancy are essential.

What Can You Do?

Attend all prenatal check-ups
Get tested for gestational diabetes when your doctor recommends
Follow your doctor's advice if diagnosed
Maintain a healthy lifestyle during pregnancy
Get regular check-ups after pregnancy to monitor your diabetes risk
Your doctor would advice an oral glucose tolerance test close to 24-28 weeks of pregnancy

Remember: Gestational diabetes is manageable with proper care. Understanding why it happens helps you take better care of yourself and your baby during pregnancy.