What Expectant Mothers Need To Know About Gestational Diabetes

Posted on by Jordan Soblick

Expectant moms have plenty to be excited about as they get ready for the joys of motherhood. But pregnancy is not without its challenges and risks, as any mother knows. One of those risks is gestational diabetes. Effecting between three and eight percent of pregnant women in the United States, this condition does not typically cause congenital disabilities, but it can increase the possibility of complications for mother and child alike.

That is why pregnant women need to recognize the signs and symptoms that could indicate gestational diabetes. By getting timely diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment, any dangers can be minimized, and new moms begin their parental journey healthily and happily.

What Is Gestational Diabetes?

During pregnancy, hormones released from the placenta can interfere with how well insulin is able to store glucose in muscle and fat cells. This can cause glucose levels in the blood to rise. If those levels rise too high, it can lead to gestational diabetes. This condition happens because the insulin the mom produces to control those levels can no longer do its job sufficiently.

The first signs of gestational diabetes, if any, usually manifest themselves in the second trimester, around the 20–24th week of pregnancy. Often, women experience no noticeable symptoms beyond increased thirst and a need to urinate more frequently.

While blood sugar levels in most pregnant women with gestational diabetes return to normal after the baby is born, about half of women who have gestational diabetes develop type 2 diabetes later in their lives.

Obesity is perhaps the most significant risk factor for the development of gestational diabetes. Other things that can increase the likelihood of the condition include:

  • a family history of diabetes
  • previously giving birth to a baby weighing more than 9 pounds
  • having a baby at or after age 25
  • having pre-diabetes

Complications Related To Gestational Diabetes

Even without symptoms, gestational diabetes can put both the mother and child at risk of serious complications. These can include:

  • early birth
  • high birth weight
  • low blood glucose after birth
  • breathing problems
  • miscarriage or stillbirth
  • preeclampsia

Diagnosis and Treatment of Gestational Diabetes

Using blood tests to measure blood glucose levels, doctors will usually check for gestational diabetes between the 24th and 28th weeks of pregnancy. If they find that the mother has the condition, they may recommend several treatment options to keep blood sugar levels within a healthy range. These can include changes to diet, increased physical activity, and medication.

Of course, regular monitoring of blood sugar levels is an essential part of staying healthy for anyone living with diabetes, even temporarily.

Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) is a tested, approved, and easy-to-use transceiver device that helps those with diabetes stay in control of their condition and their lives without the need for inconvenient and burdensome finger-pricking multiple times a day.

Ask your doctor about CGM and contact us today to see if you qualify for CGM and access our guide to continuous glucose monitoring.

CALL US TO QUALIFY NOW

If you are not insured, or have a high deductible health insurance plan, you can still purchase the Freestyle Libre Reader and Sensors at extremely competitive prices. Prices starting as low as $99 per month

1-888-308-0094

*Fingersticks are required for treatment decisions when you see Check Blood Glucose symbol, when symptoms do not match system readings when you suspect readings may be in accurate, or when you experience symptoms that may be due to high or low blood glucose.

Reference 1: Data on file. Abbott Diabetes Care. 2, FreeStyle Libre 14 day User’s Manual

Indications and Important Safety Information

FreeStyle Libre and FreeStyle Libre 14 day Flash Glucose Monitoring systems are continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices indicated for replacing blood glucose testing and detecting trends and tracking patterns aiding in the detection of episodes of hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia, facilitating both acute and long-term therapy adjustments in persons (age 18 and older) with diabetes. The systems are intended for single patient use and require a prescription.

CONTRAINDICATIONS: Remove the sensor before MRI, CT scan, X-ray, or diathermy treatment.

WARNINGS/LIMITATIONS: Do not ignore symptoms that may be due to low or high blood glucose, hypoglycemic unawareness, or dehydration. Check sensor glucose readings with a blood glucose meter when Check Blood Glucose symbol appears, when symptoms do not match system readings, or when readings are suspected to be inaccurate. The system does not have alarms unless the sensor is scanned, and the system contains small parts that may be dangerous if swallowed. The system is not approved for pregnant women, persons on dialysis, or critically-ill population. Sensor placement is not approved for sites other than the back of the arm and standard precautions for transmission of blood borne pathogens should be taken. The built-in blood glucose meter is not for use on dehydrated, hypotensive, in shock, hyperglycemic-hyperosmolar state, with or without ketosis, neonates, critically-ill patients, or for diagnosis or screening of diabetes. When using FreeStyle LibreLink app, access to a blood glucose monitoring system is required as the app does not provide one. Review all product information before use or contact Abbott Toll Free (855-632-8658) or visit www.freestylelibre.us for detailed indications for use and safety information.html. . FreeStyle, Libre, and related brand marks are trademarks of Abbott Diabetes Care Inc. in various jurisdictions. Other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. ©2018 Abbott. ADC-09691 vLO 10/18

*The FreeStyle LibreLink app and the FreeStyle Libre 14 day reader have similar but not identical features. Fingersticks are required for treatment decisions when you see Check Blood Glucose symbol, when symptoms do not match system readings, when you suspect readings may be inaccurate, or when you experience symptoms that may be due to high or low blood glucose.

The FreeStyle Libre 2 app and the FreeStyle Libre 2 reader have similar but not identical features. Fingersticks are required for treatment decisions when you see Check Blood Glucose symbol and when your glucose alarms and readings from the system do not match symptoms or expectations

‡‡‡Based on the sensor being replaced once every 14 days, and scanned at least once every 8 hours.

§§§Glucose readings are not available during 1-hour warm-up, when sensor is too hot or too cold, when you see an error or "LO" or "HI" message, or no current glucose reading