Gestational Diabetes

Gestational diabetes occurs in pregnant women, even if the women have never had diabetes before. Though it usually goes away after pregnancy. It affects 4% of pregnant women. No one is sure of the cause of it, though they have some theories. First hormones that nourish the placenta are believed to block the mothers insulin, causing what they call insulin resistance, which makes it difficult for the mothers body to use insulin.
The testing of gestational usually takes place at the doctors office or a nearby clinic. It takes approximately an hour. First they have the woman drink an orange drink, which tastes similar to Sunkist, then they have you wait in the office waiting room for forty-five minutes. After that time is up they ask how you feel, some women may experience light headedness, or nausea, then they take a few vials of blood to test your blood sugar.
Some cases cause insulin causes glucose to build up within the blood to high amounts, called hyperglycemia. Gestational shows up late in pregnancy, though before the baby is completely developed and can cause birth defects and abnormalities before delivery. So its very important to get checked for gestational diabetes. If the diabetes is found its best to start treatment as soon as possible.
Treatment includes special diets, physical activity, and possibly insulin shots and glucose testing. Women who have gestational diabetes during pregnancy are highly likely to have type 2 diabetes, however healthy lifestyle changes may prevent this.