Understanding Gestational Diabetes

This assignment delves into the complexities of gestational diabetes, defining it as a type of diabetes that develops during pregnancy. It explores the hormonal changes associated with pregnancy that contribute to this condition, explaining how they affect blood glucose levels and insulin sensitivity. The text emphasizes the significance of early detection through screening tests conducted in the second and third trimesters. It highlights the potential health risks for both mother and baby if gestational diabetes remains untreated, emphasizing the need for close monitoring and management during pregnancy.

Running head: GESTATIONAL DIABETES
Gestational diabetes
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1
GESTATIONAL DIABETES
Gestational Diabetes is defined as “a type of diabetes that develops during pregnancy”
(National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease, 2017). During pregnancy, a
person’s blood glucose (blood sugar) is higher than usual and in return can have a massive effect
on the health of the pregnant mother and baby. There is no specific cause for why gestational
diabetes occurs, however; there are speculations it may be related to the hormonal changes
during pregnancy which can affect the body’s glucose process (Mayo Clinic, 2017). Signs and
symptoms can go unnoticed due to the absence of a clear indication of them during the
pregnancy or can be mistaken for pregnancy signs and symptom; hence the risk factor for
gestational diabetes is significantly higher in case of women. Pregnant women are notified if
they have gestational diabetes within the last 2nd-3rd trimester. The testing usually takes place
around 20 weeks of gestation, with the positive result showing up around the 24th week. If
gestational diabetes is positive, the physician will begin treatment immediately, and the
pregnancy will be considered a high-risk pregnancy which requires closer monitoring than an
average healthy pregnancy.
Hormonal changes take place when a woman is pregnant. Besides pregnancy related
hormones, there is an increase with usual female hormones such as progestin and estrogen. These
changes help to lower the blood glucose level, slow down gastric emptying, and increase
appetite. As the pregnancy progresses, the postprandial glucose levels will continue to increase
while the insulin sensitivity will continue to decrease. To control glucose, the maternal insulin
secretion must increase dramatically to counteract the fall of the insulin sensitivity. Gestational
diabetes occurs when there is insufficient insulin secretion to counteract the pregnancy related
decrease in insulin sensitivity (Medscape, 2017).