If you’re pregnant, you might have heard about gestational diabetes, but aren’t exactly sure what it is or how to know if you have it. This condition is similar to Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, but it’s temporary in nature. However, it can be just as serious if left untreated. That’s why it’s important that you be aware of the signs of gestational diabetes so you can get started immediately on a diabetes treatment program.
Gestational diabetes is a medical condition that less than 10 percent of pregnant women will develop. It is similar to type 1 and type 2 diabetes in that it affects your blood glucose levels. But even if you’ve never had either of the other types, you might still notice some signs of gestational diabetes while you’re pregnant.
What is it about pregnancy that causes woman to develop problems with elevated blood glucose levels? To date, there has been no particular reason established. But some researchers think that the condition is a result of pregnancy hormones getting in the way of your system’s ability to properly utilize insulin. Whatever the reason, though, research indicates that approximately three to ten percent of women who are pregnant will develop the signs of gestational diabetes, which are as follows.
* Diabetics are prone to excessive thirst. They might experience an urgent need to drink water and other beverages more frequently than normal.
* Women with gestational diabetes feel the need to urinate more often. Whether or not it’s because they’re drinking more fluids, they discover they have to visit the bathroom much more often than before.
* Another of the signs of gestational diabetes is extreme tiredness. However, most women going through pregnancy feel constant fatigue. This makes it difficult to isolate as one of the signs of gestational diabetes.
* Diabetics will also experience vomiting and nausea. However, pregnant women are frequently nauseous and throwing up, especially in the first few months. So it won’t necessarily be considered anything out of the ordinary. Just be careful that you don’t rule it out as one of the signs of gestational diabetes, especially in the final half of your pregnancy.
* Yeast infections and bladder infections are also a sign of diabetes. This is something you won’t be able to ignore, and it should motivate you to visit your obstetrician for an examination.
* Lastly, blurred vision can be a symptom of gestational diabetes. If your vision has changed in any way, it might be a result of the hormonal changes you’re going through. But it could also be gestational diabetes. Make sure you tell your obstetrician.
Generally speaking, since many of the signs of gestational diabetes so closely resemble the symptoms of pregnancy, all pregnant women should be tested for the condition and get started on a diabetes treatment program as soon as possible.