Understanding Gestational Diabetes

When the health of her unborn baby was questioned, Beverly Hooks did not hesitate to follow doctors’ orders.  “I knew I had to do everything I could to ensure that our baby was given a chance for a healthy life,” she explained. 

Beverly was diagnosed with gestational diabetes when she was seven months pregnant.  She underwent a routine test and was told she’d need to carefully control her diet in order to avoid complications to her and her baby.  “I cried when I found out because I was worried about our baby.  But, I was reassured that if I followed the diet carefully, and kept track of my sugar levels, there shouldn’t be any harm to the baby,” she said. 

Gestational diabetes develops when a pregnant woman does not respond to the insulin that her body is making.  Therefore, her body is unable to keep her blood sugar, or glucose, within a range that is safe for her and her developing baby.  This type of diabetes is diagnosed when a pregnant woman’s blood test shows a high blood glucose level and she did not have diabetes before becoming pregnant.

Beverly and her husband, John, had wanted a baby for quite a while.  When she discovered she was pregnant, they were overjoyed.  The pregnancy went smoothly, and except for being very thirsty, Beverly said she had no symptoms of gestational diabetes. But, because of a strong family history of diabetes, she knew it was a possibility and wasn’t completely surprised when the diagnosis came. 

Most women, however, are quite surprised when they learn they have gestational diabetes.  It can occur with no symptoms at all.  Occasionally, women will experience symptoms similar to hypoglycemia (high blood sugar): increased hunger and thirst, increased urination or blurred vision.  Gestational diabetes occurs in 7% of all pregnancies, with a greater frequency in women of Asian, Latin American, African American or Native American descent.  Women who have had gestational diabetes are 30 – 60% more likely to develop it in future pregnancies.

According to Walter Guth, MD, obstetrician and gynecologist with OBG-1, gestational diabetes can be controlled.  “If blood sugar levels remain within the safe range during pregnancy and the baby’s weight and heart rate remain within normal limits, there is no greater risk for complications than if she did not have gestational diabetes.  However, if the diabetes goes untreated, there can be consequences during the pregnancy.”

These complications include increased weight gain for the baby causing a difficult delivery and possibly a cesarean birth.  High blood pressure for the mom is also a concern.  Some studies suggest a tendency for mom or baby to have Type 2 diabetes later in life.  “Researchers are still undecided on this issue but it does raise flags for both the mother and her child to be mindful of the potential,” said Dr. Guth.  “Keeping weight under control with good nutrition and regular exercise is even more important than usual.  With these concerns in mind, it is very important for blood glucose levels to stay within a safe range.”

Experts suggest eating frequent, small meals throughout the day will help keep sugar levels steady.  Certain combinations of foods work well together, such as a protein with a carbohydrate.  The carbohydrate tends to get used by the body quickly causing a rush in glucose levels, while the protein is used more slowly and tends to stabilize glucose levels. 

Beverly agrees.  She ate six small meals each day.  “Breakfast was either a high-fiber cereal. or maybe eggs and biscuits.  At mid-morning, I’d have fruit, like grapes and some nuts or animal crackers.  Lunchtime was pretty simple with chicken salad on a bed of lettuce with whole-grain crackers.  For dinner, I’d pretty much eat a ‘regular’ meal, like spaghetti or a casserole.  During the evening, I’d usually have yogurt, or graham crackers.  Sometimes, I’d forget to eat an evening snack, and I’d notice my sugar was higher the next morning.”

By checking her sugar four times every day, Beverly kept a close watch on her numbers.  Thankfully, they never got high enough to cause alarm. 

“If gestational diabetes is well controlled during the pregnancy, there’s much less reason to worry,” said Dr. Guth.  “It’s a matter of keeping good track of the glucose level, and following a good diet, and obeying doctors’ orders.”

Beverly said after delivery, neither she nor her baby, John Randall, has shown any sign of diabetes.  She was tested the day she left the hospital and then again at a routine checkup with her family doctor, and both resulted in a normal sugar level.  “Following the diet was very important,” she said.  “I was strict on myself so there would be no complications.  It took a lot of willpower, but we had waited a long time for our baby.  I knew I had to do everything I could to ensure he would get a healthy start in life.  Thankfully, everything turned out fine.”

For more information on gestational diabetes, call OBG-1 at 1-866-312-OBG1.