Information about this condition that can occurr during pregnancy.

Gestational Diabetes

GESTATIONAL DIABETES.
* Diabetes is a condition where the level of sugar in the bloodstream is elevated. The condition can become a very serious threat to life if left untreated. Gestational diabetes is a disorder of raised blood sugar that occurs only during pregnancy, especially the second half of pregnancy.

* During pregnancy some mothers do not produce enough insulin (a hormone produced by the pancreas to control blood sugar) to keep their blood sugar levels within the normal range. The sugar, glucose, then leaks out through the kidneys into the urine.

* In routine ante natal care, testing of the urine with a `dipstick' is done, which detects the presence of glucose.

* Often when glucose is present there is a strong chance that the baby will be bigger than expected, and upto 75% of mothers with gestational diabetes will probably develop true diabetes in later years.

* Although a big baby does not mean that the mother is diabetic, a baby weighing 9, 10 or more pounds should alert doctors that she is at increased risk of gestational diabetes in future pregnancies and may develop diabetes later.

* If sugar is found in the urine of a pregnant patient, a special investigation of blood sugar laevls called the `glucose tolerance test' is performed to confirm the diagnosis. Depending upon the results, she may be advised to change her diet to regulate her sugar intake and/or start on insulin injections until delivery. * Unlike true diabetes, gestational diabetes disappears once the baby is delivered. If the baby is growing very quickly then early delivery may be neccessary.

* If the mother has true (not gestational) diabetes, the chance of the baby being diabetic is about 1 in 100, and if both parents have diabetes the likelihood increases to 1 in 20.
IMPORTANT NOTICE : This content is from the Dr Chris Steele personal archive and is provided for convenience only. Information contained here may no longer agree with the most up to date medical advice. Please check with a medical professional before taking any action.

More like this
Pregnancy and Childbirth
Treatments
Illnesses
Use this page



Privacy Terms | Advertisers | Legal Disclaimer | Contact
© 2007 TheFamilyGP.com