Symptoms Of Gestational Diabetes

Gestational diabetes symptoms -- just like type 1 and type 2 diabetes symptoms -- can vary from person to person. The symptoms manifest in different ways, and you may not realize that you are a diabetic because the signs may not appear for weeks or even months. When you become pregnant, your doctor will prescribe a glucose tolerance test to determine that you are not diabetic. A glucose tolerance test is necessary because gestational diabetes typically shows no significant symptoms. However, even if the test is negative, you may develop gestational diabetes later in the pregnancy.

The symptoms of diabetes in pregnancy include increased thirst, blurred vision, fatigue, increased urine output, skin infections or cuts that won't heal, weight loss and insatiable hunger. These are the same symptoms found in type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Once your baby is born, typically your blood glucose levels will return to normal and the gestational diabetes disappears. However, if you do develop diabetes in pregnancy, you are a greater risk of type 2 diabetes later on. Type 2 diabetes can be avoided by eating a healthy well balanced diet, regular exercise and optimum weight.

A body's insulin needs during pregnancy are two to three times higher than normal, a factor that increases the more overweight a woman is. If a woman's body is unable to produce sufficient insulin to overcome the insulin resistance, then her blood glucose levels will increase above a healthy range.

Diabetes in pregnancy must be properly diagnosed and treated, otherwise it could place the baby at risk of over-developing inside the womb, which will of course cause a difficult birth. This will also place the baby at increased risk of complications like high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease. Therefore, it is crucial that you are tested for glucose tolerance between 24-28 weeks of pregnancy, and you may wish to test again later in the pregnancy.

Closely watch for symptoms of diabetes in your pregnancy and alert your doctor right away if you make note of any so you and your baby can avoid further complications later.