Diabetes is one of the most common problems faced by pregnant women and is caused by the release of abnormally increased hormones from the placenta. This is a symptom, which occurs in most women during the second or third trimester of pregnancy, but, like other problems, it also vanishes after childbirth.
For expectant mothers who develop gestational diabetes, following a special diet can help ensure their health and the health of their unborn baby. Gestational diabetes affects about 5% of pregnant women, so sticking to this diet can have a positive impact on millions of women worldwide.
The main cause of diabetes during pregnancy is that the mother’s body is the only source of glucose for the baby. Glucose is a sugar that comes from the digestion of food, and it’s delivered to the baby through the placenta. In return, the placenta produces hormones that help the baby develop. However, these same hormones prevent the mother’s body from using insulin properly. Later on, the placenta produces more of these anti-insulin hormones, which block glucose from moving from the blood stream into the cells of the mother’s body.
Glucose, a sugar that comes from the digestion of food, is the main source of nourishment for the body. During pregnancy, the body even provides glucose to the developing baby through the placenta. This sugar in the bloodstream passes through the placenta, where a hormone is secreted to help the baby grow. However, this hormone can block the movement of glucose into the blood cells if it is produced in excess, and the pancreas cannot produce enough insulin.
Mentioned below are the symptoms associated with diabetes:
– extreme thirst
– frequent urination
– fatigue
– blurred vision
– weight loss
– unexpected hunger
Gestational diabetes is a condition that affects approximately 4% of all pregnant women, resulting in 135,000 reported cases per year. Although the exact cause of gestational diabetes is unknown, it’s believed that hormones produced by the placenta prevent the mother’s body from being able to absorb insulin properly. This insulin resistance may cause the mother to need up to three times as much insulin in order to maintain the same metabolic functioning.
Symptoms of Gestational Diabetes
It can be difficult to detect the disease because the body is going through so many changes, many of which a person may be experiencing for the first time. A pregnant woman will be in close contact with her doctor frequently during pregnancy, so it’s a good idea to mention any unusual changes in the body as soon as they’re noticed. Generally, the condition affects women during the latter stages of pregnancy (around 24-28 weeks).
As many as 4% of all pregnant women are believed to suffer from gestational diabetes, which can be harmful for the unborn child. This type of diabetes usually starts during the fifth or sixth month of pregnancy, but it usually goes away after the baby is born. The underlying cause of gestational diabetes is thought to be the surge of hormones during pregnancy.
