Gestational diabetes is a form of glucose intolerance!

Although it is unknown what causes this form of diabetes symptom which affects about 4% of all mothers to be, there are some clues that lead us in a positive direction as to the cause. The placenta which acts as the life line between the mother and her fetus, releases hormones that aids in the development of the baby.

However these hormones do have a down side to them. They seem to work against the mother for some reason because they prevent the required actions of the insulin in the expecting mother's body from doing its job. This problem as we know it today, is called insulin-resistance-diabetes.

Because of this insulin resistance problem, it is difficult for pregnant women to utilize the insulin that is produced by their bodies. Gestational diabetes is a disease that occurs when a woman's body is unable to produce or use the insulin that it needs during pregnancy.

Without insulin, the glucose that is present in the woman's blood can not be removed or metabolized for the use of energy. Hence because of this problem, her blood glucose levels are elevated, putting her at risk of developing hyperglycemia.

Video information on gestational diabetes

Although some women develop this type of diabetes late into their pregnancy, it does not cause the same kind of birth defects that are normally seen in women who already had diabetes mellitus before they became pregnant. However if the disease goes untreated or is poorly controlled, the unborn baby will be at extreme risk.

One risk that an unborn baby faces from a mother with gestational diabetes, is called macrosomia (overweight baby). This happens as a result of extra glucose entering the blood stream of the baby through the placenta. This extra glucose will then become stored fat on the baby.

These babies are at greater risks for obesity and may become adults who are at greater risks of developing type 2 diabetes in the future. This can happen if the mother's blood glucose levels are high and remains high for long periods of time. There are between 4% - 9% of all pregnant women who are affected by this type of diabetes.

This in reality, equates to about 135,000 cases of this type diabetes that is diagnosed every year in the United States alone. Pregnant women that have been diagnosed with the gestational disorder, are at greater risks of developing type 2 diabetes in later years after their child births.

In most cases gestational diabetes goes away after a pregnancy; however, once a woman has had this type of diabetes symptom her chances of it returning in another pregnancy is 4 out of 5. Therefore it is extremely important for you to get tested and if you are diagnosed with the disease, treatment should be started right away so that your baby won't be at risk.

The purpose of your treatment would be to try and keep your blood glucose normal or as close to normal as possible, to that of a pregnant woman who does not have gestational diabetes. Your treatment of this type of diabetes mellitus always includes a special diet plan, a scheduled exercise and fitness program, blood glucose testing daily and in some cases an insulin injection.

Your health care team will guide you as needed, to ensure that you stay on tract and avoid all complications that are associated with this type of disease. Taking these steps can help you maintain a healthy pregnancy and avoid problems that will possibly lead to poor health for you and your child now and in the future. Almost all women who have or have had gestational diabetes, are at greater risks than those without the disease, for developing type 2 diabetes in years to come.

But by keeping your weight down and maintaining a good healthy diet that includes lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, limiting your fat intake, and incorporating a regular daily exercise program can help you lead a normal healthy life in the years to come and keep you from becoming a diabetic as result of you having gestational diabetes.

Gestational glucose tolerance test

If you are an expecting mother, find out if you are at risk of developing gestational diabetes. This test is used for diagnosis in expecting females. Take the gestational glucose tolerance test now.

Find out if you have menopause

Most women go through menopause between the ages of 45 and 55. This test will help in diagnosing the onset of menopause. learn more here Menopause 2007

Support the weight of your pregnancy

The prenatal cradle supports the abdomen and back but it does not restrict the expecting mother or her unborn baby. This device is highly recommended by doctors and it allows many mothers to be to remain active through their third trimester. Learn more about the

Adjustable Prenatal Cradle

Gestational diabetes is every women's problem. Find out how it can affect you as a woman!

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