6 complications of gestational diabetes nobody tells you about

Gestational diabetes Hormonal changes during pregnancy make women susceptible to complications, and one such common complication is gestational diabetes. Although the blood glucose levels return to normal after delivery, gestational diabetes increases the risk of other diseases. It also puts their babies at risk of other illnesses. Dr. Shilva, Consultant PGI, Paras Bliss Hospital, Panchkula, says that these pregnancy-related complications should not be taken lightly. Here's how gestational diabetes can harm women and their babies.developing fetus Can affect the developing fetus--If gestational diabetes goes untreated, it can lead to fetal macrosomia, which means babies have a birth weight of more than eight pounds and are significantly larger than average. Also, if the mother has a fasting blood sugar level of more than 105 mg/dl, the risk of fetal death during the last 4-8 weeks of gestation increases. Gestational diabetes also affects brain development of the fetus.Obesity and diabetes Obesity and diabetes--Dr Shilva says that babies born to mothers with gestational diabetes are more likely to suffer from obesity and diabetes. A study published in the journal, Current Opinion Obstetrics and Gynaecology, says that hyperglycaemia in pregnancy and subsequent hyperinsulinemia subjects the baby to obesity and insulin resistance.[1]Abdominal obesity Abdominal obesity--Women tend to put on weight around the abdomen during pregnancy which many women get rid of by exercise. However, if a woman suffers from gestational diabetes, there are high chances of her suffering from abdominal obesity.type 2 diabetes Type 2 diabetes--Women, who suffer from gestational diabetes, are more likely to suffer from type 2 diabetes. Also, more than half the women with gestational diabetes develop type 2 diabetes in the following 20 years.Heart disease Cardiovascular diseases--Gestational diabetes affects serum lipid levels and can cause hypertension, which increases your risk of suffering from different cardiovascular diseases.gestational diabetes in subsequent pregnancies Gestational diabetes in subsequent pregnancies--Dr Shilva says that the risk of suffering from gestational diabetes in subsequent pregnancies increases if the mother suffers from it during the first pregnancy. However, according to a study published in the journal Diabetes care, rate of recurrence of GDM can be reduced by making efforts to reduce the occurrence of neonatal macrosomia and maternal pre-pregnancy obesity.[2]