Gestational diabetes

Gestational diabetes is a disorder that begins or is first recognised during pregnancy.

Gestational diabetes is a carbohydrate intolerance that can become apparent around the 24th to 28th weeks of pregnancy.

Causes and Risk
It's recommended that all pregnant women be screened for gestational diabetes within this time frame. In many cases, the blood glucose level returns to normal after delivery. The symptoms are usually mild and not life-threatening to the pregnant woman. However, the increased maternal glucose levels are associated with an increased rate of perinatal complications, including birth trauma, hypoglycaemia, and jaundice. Rarely, late intrauterine foetal death occurs. Maintaining control of blood glucose levels significantly reduces the risk. The risk factors for gestational diabetes are: maternal age of more than 25; a family history of diabetes; obesity; a previous delivery of an infant with a birth weight over nine pounds; an unexplained death of a previous infant or newborn; a congenital malformation in a previous child; and recurrent infections.

Symptoms

Increased thirst
Increased urination
Weight loss in spite of increased appetite
Fatigue
Nausea
Vomiting
Frequent infections, including those of the bladder, vagina, and skin
Blurred vision

Note: Usually there are no symptoms.

Signs and Tests

An oral glucose intolerance test is given between the 24th and 28th weeks of pregnancy.