Gestational Diabetes Causes

Almost all women have a level of weakened glucose intolerance as a result of hormonal changes which occur during pregnancy. This means that their blood glucose may be higher than normal. But this does not mean it is high enough to have diabetes. But during the last stage of pregnancy (the 3rd trimester), hormonal changes place a pregnant woman at risk for gestational diabetes.

In gestational diabetes, the pancreas is not at fault but instead the problem lies with the placenta. During pregnancy, the placenta is responsible for providing the baby with all nourishment. It at the same time produces numerous hormones that hamper the body’s usual response to insulin. This situation is known as “insulin resistance”. Most women, who are pregnant, do not suffer from gestational diabetes because their pancreas is able to work to create extra amounts of insulin in order to compensate for insulin resistance. But, if a woman’s pancreas is not able to create enough additional insulin, blood levels of glucose stay unusually high and the woman is diagnosed to have gestational diabetes.

During a pregnancy, approximately 1 in 50 women may temporarily develop this condition. Women at risk for gestational diabetes include those who:

• Have a family with a history of diabetes
• Are obese or overweight
• Previously gave birth to a large, heavy baby
• Previously had a stillborn baby. or a baby born with a birth defect, or had excess amount of amniotic fluid
• Are over 25 years old
• Belong to an ethic group commonly considered to have a higher rate of gestational diabetes which in the US include American Indians, Mexican-Americans, African-Americans, as well as women from India, Asia or the Pacific Islands.
• Previously have had gestational diabetes during a pregnancy.

If a pregnant woman falls into any risk group and develops any of the symptoms of gestational diabetes, her doctor will test to confirm the diagnosis. If she is diagnosed as having gestational diabetes, there are medications and other factors which she and her doctor can manage in order to bring the pregnancy to a successful conclusion.