What is gestational diabetes?
Gestational diabetes is the development of diabetes during pregnancy. Diabetes occurs when the body is unable to produce enough insulin to regulate blood glucose, resulting in high blood sugar levels. Similarly, gestational diabetes develops when the body does not provide enough insulin to handle the increase in glucose produced during pregnancy. Gestational diabetes usually develops during the middle or end of pregnancy. Therefore, the test to diagnose gestational diabetes, which is known as the Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT), is conducted at between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy. It is a simple blood test that is taken about 60 minutes after the mother has consumed a sugar load (a drink with high sugar content).
What are the warning signs of gestational diabetes?
Most women with gestational diabetes do not experience any symptoms. Thus it is highly recommended that they undergo OGTT even though there are no symptoms of the disease.
However, if sugar levels are very high, some symptoms include:
• Being unusually thirsty all the time.
• Frequent urination.
• Feeling tired or nauseous (which can be similar to early pregnancy symptoms).
• Sugar detected in urine tests (conducted during each prenatal visit with the gynaecologist).
What factors will increase the risk of gestational diabetes?
Esta historia es de la edición September - October 2019 de Celebrating Life.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición September - October 2019 de Celebrating Life.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Important Signs And Symptoms Of Heart Disease
Important signs and symptoms of heart disease that you should never ignore.
The Ultimate DIY Facial
Too busy to go for a facial? Give your skin some much-deserved TLC in the comfort of your own home.
Make Bathtime A Breeze With These Baby Essentials
Make bathtime a breeze with these baby essentials.
7 Ways To Help Children Stay Healthy For The Examinations
7 ways to help children stay healthy for the examinations.
Thriving With Three
Thomson mummy QiuQiu opens up about her life with three kids.
Budget Adventures
Check out four family-friendly places to spend the weekend without breaking the bank.
A Guide To Gestational Diabetes
Learn how gestational diabetes may affect your pregnancy.
Hearty Breakfasts
Start your family’s day right with these tasty, heart-healthy breakfasts.
A Wean Feat
Transition your little one to solid foods with these weaning essentials.
THE DREAM TEAM
Thomson parents Andre and Sherlyn detail their journey to parenthood.