Gestational Diabetes : The Prevalence Of Gestational Obesity

Along with all the worries and complications a woman might face while pregnant, one of the more serious conditions is gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes occurs in 4% of all pregnancies (Seibel, 2009). Many women are not informed about the disease, some may not know that they need to be tested, and others may have heard about it, but want more information on what may cause it and/or how to prevent and treat it. Either way this disease needs to be taken seriously by every pregnant woman or woman planning to get pregnant to protect not only herself but the unborn child.

In gestational diabetes, this type of diabetes develops in women only during pregnancy. When a woman is pregnant there are a surge of varied hormones that are produced. These hormones sometimes lead to a pregnant woman developing resistance to the insulin just like the other two types of diabetes. It also comes about because the body cannot use the insulin that is produced, effectively. This usually affects a woman in her second trimester and goes away after the birth of the baby. Developing GD can put a woman at risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in her life or developing GD with every pregnancy that follows. It can also lead to certain health problems in their children like childhood obesity or the risk of developing diabetes in later life.

The obesity epidemic has become one of America’s most serious health crises. The rising obesity rate has contributed to numerous significant health problems and diseases. One specific group for whom obesity is a problem is women of childbearing age. According to Davis, Madan, and Schmatz(2010), more than half of women from ages 18 to 42 in the United States are considered overweight or preobese, while about one-third are obese. Maternal obesity not only contributes to complications that affect the mother and fetus while in gestation, but long-term complications

Gestational diabetes is a disease that affects pregnant women it’s a glucose intolerance that is started or diagnosed during pregnancy. Based on recently announced diagnostic criteria for gestational diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association, it is estimated that gestational diabetes affects 18% of pregnancies. Pregnancy hormones can block insulin therefore causing the glucose levels to increase in a pregnant woman’s blood. Gestational diabetes starts when your body is not able to make and use all the insulin it needs for pregnancy (American Diabetes Association). Without enough insulin, glucose cannot leave the blood and be changed to

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is an intolerance of glucose documented for the first time during pregnancy. It is usually a short-term type of diabetes and the most common health problem with pregnant women. GBM is caused by the way the hormones in pregnancy affect the mother. GDM accounts for 5-7% of all pregnancies (American Diabetes Association, 2010). During pregnancy the placenta develops and becomes the main bond between the mother and the baby. It is used to make sure the baby has and gets enough nutrients. The placenta makes several hormones which make it hard for insulin to control blood glucose and block the action of the mother’s insulin in her body (American Diabetes Association, 2010). Hormonal changes during the

All expecting mothers will be tested for gestational diabetes during their pregnancy. Expecting mothers who are over the age of 25, over weight, or have a family history of diabetes may be tested earlier and more frequently. This condition can be prevented by exercise and diet before conceiving and during pregnancy, self-monitoring is also effective. If gestational diabetes is diagnosed the non-treated effects for the mother and fetus can include large birth weight of the baby and a possible premature delivery. Other effects can increase the chances of a cesarean delivery and in rare cases neonatal death. With proper treatment and care from you and your health care provider you can have a healthy baby and result in no diabetes in the

A mother may be affected by gestational diabetes late in the pregnancy process as soon as the baby’s body is developed. If the disease remains untreated and poorly controlled it may hurt the baby. A patient’s pancreas works overtime to produce insulin, but the insulin remains resistant, which causes the baby’s pancreas to make extra insulin to get rid of the blood glucose. The baby receives more energy that it needs to grow and develop, so the extra energy is stored as fat, which may lead to macrosomia or a “fat” baby. This may compromise the baby’s health condition that includes damage to their shoulders during birth. Newborns with excess insulin are at higher risks for obesity.

The common definition of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is glucose or carbohydrate intolerance with onset, first recognition or first diagnosis during pregnancy; it is a common complication in pregnancy that typically ends a few weeks after birth (Coustan, 2013; Zhang & Ning, 2011; Brown, 2011). Although the causes of GDM are not known, it appears that hormones from the placenta lead to insulin resistance in the mother; this insulin resistance combined with an inadequate insulin secretion to compensate for its resistance has a central role in the pathophysiology of GDM, which can then lead to hyperglycemia and gestational diabetes mellitus (Zhang & Ning, 2011; Blake, Munoz, & Volpe, 2014). It is thought that women who develop GDM

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is defined as a condition when a woman’s blood glucose is elevated during pregnancy. GDM occurs only during pregnancy and resolves after delivery. Etiology of GDM is unknown. According to National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse (NDIC), (n.d.), scientists believes GDM is caused by hormonal changes and metabolic demands of pregnancy. The placenta produces hormones such as, cortisol, human placental lactogen, and estrogen to maintain the pregnancy (The University of Chicago Medicine, n.d.). The hormone production by the placenta increases as the fetus grows. The hormones produced by the placenta blocks the effect of insulin, which leads to the body’s resistance to insulin.

A form of diabetes that develops during gestation, or pregnancy, is known as gestational diabetes. It affects anywhere from 4.2 to 9.6 percent of pregnant women. During pregnancy, the placenta produces high levels of hormones. These hormones can impair the function of insulin, which leads to elevated blood sugar.

Gestational Diabetes Mellitus or short for GDM is defined as having any degree of intolerance to glucose with the onset or first recognized when a woman is pregnant. When a woman is pregnant and her body cannot tolerate glucose, the glucose in the blood rises and is able to cross the placenta of the fetus. The extra blood glucose in the placenta will result in a high blood glucose level for the baby and any extra energy that the baby does not need to grow will be stored as fat, resulting in a condition known as macrosomia, or a large baby (CDC, 2014). A large baby could potentially lead to a cesarean section, which means a longer recovery time. Other complications are high blood pressure, which is harmful to both mother and fetus, low blood

This is one of the most common complications diagnosed in pregnancy. Gestational diabetes occurs because a woman 's blood sugar levels become irregular because of hormonal changes. Exercise during pregnancy helps regulate the blood sugar levels. You can also prevent gestational diabetes by sticking to a healthy diet, no smoking, not drinking alcohol and maintaining a healthy body weight. You can also help prevent gestational diabetes by planning your pregnancies to give enough time between babies.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a type of diabetes that occurs during pregnancy and caused by insulin resistance in the body. Risk factors of GDM include maternal age, ethnicity, family history, BMI, and deficiency of vitamin D. To be diagnosed with GDM, a woman must go through two screenings tests called the glucose challenge test and glucose tolerance test with high blood glucose results. Proper management such as a healthy diet, physical activity, and medications are needed to prevent complications for the mom and newborn. Complications include fetal macrosomia, preterm labor, hypoglycemia, and a high risk for developing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in the future. It is exceptionally necessary for healthcare professionals to educate their patients to prevent an increase in the number of cases of GDM and to further prepare the patients on what to expect if they are diagnosed with GDM in the future and to avoid any negative emotions.

Most babies of gestational diabetic mothers are healthy, but if untreated, gestational diabetes can lead to:

Gestational Diabetes Mellitus is a form of diabetes; where glucose intolerance occurs during pregnancy. As the course of pregnancy unfolds; during the first 4-5 months glucose is taken to the fetus. In the remaining months of pregnancy; the requirements for insulin are dramatically increased, because of the high amount of placental hormones that exceed the glucose. As nutrients are supplied by the mother’s body; the placenta senses this action, and triggers placenta transport. Through the duration of the pregnancy increased glucose and placental transporters; are associated with diabetic women; who have experience increased growth of the fetus. Hormones such as insulin; play a significant role in the regulation of the placental transporters. This issue (insulin resistance) occurs when an increase of gestational hormones hinder the actions of insulin. The majority of pregnant women are evaluated around 24-28 weeks for the risk of Gestation Diabetes Mellitus; although that these women should be screened at the first visit (Escott-Stump, 2012, p. 552).