Gestational diabetes is usually detected around 26-28 week of pregnancy.

Diabetes tends to get unmasked during pregnancy as the placenta releases many chemicals that are anti-insulin in nature. This puts a lot of pressure on your kidneys and makes it difficult for them to absorb the sugar completely. As a result, the sugar is released in your blood.

How will I know?

If you are suffering from gestational diabetes, you may experience;

• Extreme thirst
• Hunger
• Frequent urination
• Frequent vaginal and urinary tract infections
• Excess weight gain

Besides, this excess amniotic fluid and a big baby are also signs of gestational diabetes. Consult your doctor and get a blood sugar test done to confirm diabetes.

Will diabetes affect my pregnancy?

Yes. If you are diabetic, then you could have respiratory and kidney problems.

In some cases, there may be excess amniotic fluid, which will give your baby less space to grow and develop.

Diabetic women tend to have very large babies and often have to opt for a C-section. If this is the case, then there is a possibility of your baby's shoulders getting stuck during delivery or her collar bones getting fractured due to lack of space.

Will I be diabetic for the rest of my life?

Since the diabetes is aggravated by the placenta, it usually fades off about 48 hours after you deliver.

However, in case you have been diabetic before conceiving, then you will have to continue treatment for it.

What is the treatment for it?

If you are diabetic before you conceive, your oral diabetic medicines will be stopped and you will be given insulin.

Make sure you inform your doctor about any family history of diabetes and any miscarriages that you have had.

Your doctor will then monitor your blood-sugar level at regular intervals. In case you become diabetic, then your doctor will first try and bring down the sugar levels through diet.

If you are diabetic, then refrain from consuming starch-rich and sugar laden food. If this doesn't work, then you will be given insulin. There is no need to get stressed about gestational diabetes, so long as you follow your doctor's advice. Control your diet and go for regular checkups.

(With Inputs from Dr. Suchitra Pandit, Gynecologist)

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