Signs You Might Have Gestational Diabetes

Have you heard of gestational diabetes? It’s a type of diabetes that develops during pregnancy. Some women have symptoms, but many don’t. This is dangerous because it can put you and your baby’s health at risk. There’s help available, as Dr. Leonardo A. Longoria of Longoria OBGYN helps women safely manage gestational diabetes.

What is gestational diabetes?

Gestational diabetes is a health condition that develops during pregnancy and usually goes away after the baby is born. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, up to 10% of pregnancies are affected by gestational diabetes each year. 

Women with gestational diabetes have high blood sugar levels which can cause:

• High blood pressure and preeclampsia
• Higher risk for mother to develop Type 2 diabetes later in life
• Large babies that need to be delivered by C-section
• Preterm birth or stillbirth
• Babies born with respiratory problems

Risk factors for gestational diabetes

A number of things can put you at a higher risk of developing gestational diabetes. 

Here are some risk factors:

• Being overweight or obese
• Eating an unhealthy diet
• Having a sedentary lifestyle
• Having polycystic ovary syndrome
• Having family members with diabetes
• Gaining more weight than recommended during pregnancy
• Being over the age of 25 when you’re pregnant

Signs you might have gestational diabetes

Some women never have any symptoms. They find out when we do blood tests as part of their routine prenatal care during weeks 24-28. Other women do have symptoms. 

Here’s what signs to look for:

• Feeling extra thirsty for no apparent reason
• Feeling extra tired no matter the time of day or how busy you are
• Urinating frequently
• Feeling nauseous
• Experiencing blurry vision
• Developing a vaginal infection
• Having a dry mouth
  
  

Let Dr. Longoria know if you have any of these symptoms when you come in for your next visit. Or give us a call right away if you’re not feeling well.

Care plans for gestational diabetes

If you’re diagnosed with gestational diabetes, we’ll probably ask you to come in more frequently so we can monitor your weight, blood pressure, blood sugar, and your baby’s health. We may also recommend diet and exercise tips to make sure you stay within a healthy range as you go through your pregnancy. 

Sometimes, you may need to take insulin to help regulate your blood sugar. Just remember, there’s no reason to panic. You can deliver a healthy baby even though you have this condition.

If you’re pregnant, it’s important to get prenatal care for the health of both you and your baby. Make an appointment to see Dr. Longoria by using the online booking tool or by calling our office in El Paso, Texas.