Let’s
take a brief look at the gestational diabetes effect on baby! We do not even
know what causes gestational diabetes, but we do know a few things.
As
the baby grows, the placenta provides support. The placenta’s hormones aid in
the development of the baby.
However,
these hormones also prevent the mother’s insulin from working properly in her
body.
Insulin
resistance is the medical term for this condition. Insulin resistance makes
insulin use difficult for the mother’s body. She may require up to three times
the amount of insulin.
Gestational
diabetes develops when your body is unable to produce and use all of the
insulin required for pregnancy.
Glucose
cannot leave the blood and be converted to energy if there is insufficient
insulin.
Hyperglycemia
occurs when glucose levels in the blood rise to dangerously high levels.
Gestational diabetes effect on baby, growing
baby, and growing effect
Gestational
diabetes strikes the mother in late pregnancy, after the baby’s body has formed
but before the baby begins to grow.
Read: Baby Blood Sugar Levels
As
a result, gestational diabetes does not result in birth defects that are
sometimes seen in babies whose mothers had diabetes prior to pregnancy.
Untreated
or poorly controlled gestational diabetes, on the other hand, can harm your
baby.
Your
pancreas works overtime to produce insulin when you have gestational diabetes,
but the insulin does not lower your blood glucose levels.
Although
insulin does not cross the placenta, other nutrients such as glucose do. As a
result, extra blood glucose passes through the placenta, resulting in high
blood glucose levels in the baby.
This
causes the baby’s pancreas to produce extra insulin in order to eliminate blood
glucose. Because the baby is receiving more energy than it requires for growth
and development, the excess energy is stored as fat.
Read: How To Make 1 Year Baby Food At Home
This
can result in macrosomia (a “fat” baby). Babies with macrosomia have
their own health issues, including shoulder damage during birth.
Because
of the extra insulin produced by the baby’s pancreas, newborns may have very
low blood glucose levels at birth, as well as an increased risk of breathing
problems.
Excess
insulin in newborns increases the risk of obesity in children and type 2
diabetes in adults.
FAQs Related To Gestational Diabetes Effect On
Baby
What birth defects are caused by gestational
diabetes?
The
risk of having a baby with one of these birth defects is directly proportional
to how poorly blood sugar was managed during the first few weeks of pregnancy.
Birth defects of the brain, spinal cord, and heart are the most common.
Can you have a healthy baby with gestational
diabetes?
The
effect of gestational diabetes on the baby is depicted in this image.
The
good news is that with a nutritious, well-balanced diet and close monitoring,
women with gestational diabetes can have a healthy, enjoyable pregnancy with few
if any, side effects for mom or baby.
Read: Healthy Recipes For Toddlers 12-18 Months
Does gestational diabetes affect babies later
in life?
Many
babies born to mothers who had gestational diabetes have no health problems.
However, research suggests that your baby may be at a higher risk of developing
obesity or diabetes later in life.
Is gestational diabetes a high-risk pregnancy?
Women
who develop gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) during pregnancy may require
high-risk pregnancy care due to complications that can arise during pregnancy
and childbirth. Women with GDM are more likely to develop preeclampsia, a
condition that causes pregnancy-induced high blood pressure.
Which mother is at the highest risk for
gestational diabetes?
Age
(women who are older than 25 are at a greater risk for developing gestational
diabetes than younger women) (women who are older than 25 are at a greater risk
for developing gestational diabetes than younger women) Race (women who are
African-American, American Indian, Asian American, Hispanic or Latino, or
Pacific Islander have a higher risk) (women who are African-American, American
Indian, Asian American, Hispanic or Latino, or Pacific Islander have a higher
risk) Prediabetes is also referred to as impaired glucose tolerance.
Read: Recipes For Toddlers 18 Months
Should I be concerned about my unborn child if
I have gestational diabetes?
If
you have gestational diabetes, your baby is more likely to have: Excessive
birth weight. If your blood sugar level is higher than the normal range, your
baby may grow too large.
Can you carry a baby full-term with gestational
diabetes?
The
majority of women with gestational diabetes have a full-term pregnancy lasting
between 39 and 40 weeks. However, if complications arise, your doctor may
decide to induce labor before your due date.
What fruits should be avoided in gestational
diabetes?
Sugar
content is higher in dried fruit, fruit juice, and certain tropical fruits such
as mangoes. Limiting portions or eating these foods less frequently may be a
good idea. Some canned fruits contain sugar or are packaged in syrup.
Will my child get diabetes if I had
gestational diabetes?
The
researchers discovered that a child or adolescent whose mother had gestational
diabetes was nearly twice as likely as those whose mothers did not have
gestational diabetes to develop type 1 diabetes before the age of 22.
Read: What Fruits Are Good For Babies Under 1
Does gestational diabetes cause autism?
To
put it in context, the risk of having a child with autism is approximately 1.5
percent; gestational diabetes raises the risk to slightly more than 2 percent,
according to the study. Surprisingly, women diagnosed with diabetes after 26
weeks of pregnancy had no increased risk of having a child with ASD.
A Word From GetMe Treated
The
above is information about gestational diabetes effect on baby! The treatment
for gestational diabetes consists of a combination of diet and exercise
designed to keep blood glucose levels in pregnant women with normal
pregnancies.
If
the doctor deems it necessary, insulin may be administered to lower blood sugar
levels. A baby who has had gestational diabetes will most likely have it again
during her next pregnancy and is more likely to develop type 2 diabetes herself
in the coming years.
