Every pregnancy I dread the gestational diabetes test (yes, there’s been four). First, there’s the “no eating” beforehand… ‘nuff said (kidding… kinda). Yes, I shudder at the thought and I never even had gestational diabetes! But I have had plenty of friends who have. So can gestational diabetes be prevented? Breezy Mama turned to a favorite go-to expert Dr. Gafori of IGO Medical Group to find out, plus gestational diabetes symptoms, if a woman is at risk for diabetes after giving birth, what can happen if it goes untreated and more.
Why does gestational diabetes (GDM) occur?
The placenta secretes hormones that can put a mother at risk of diabetes…these include placental lactogen, growth hormone, and corticotropin releasing hormone. Then, add in, increased weight gain and decreased activity in pregnant women and you may have a recipe for gestational diabetes. Most women have good enough pancreatic function to counteract this and prevent diabetes, but others do not and will develop gestational diabetes.
Is there a way for a woman to avoid gestational diabetes or is going to happen regardless?
Risk factors for [Read more…] about Can Gestational Diabetes Be Prevented?