Diabetes during pregnancy, or gestational diabetes, affects nearly 4 percent of all pregnant women in the United States, according to the American Diabetes Association. It affects women who did not have diabetes before pregnancy, but have hyperglycemia, or high levels of glucose in the blood, during pregnancy. When blood sugar is not controlled properly, the mother or fetus can be harmed, so medical attention is important.
Hormones
During pregnancy, extra hormones are produced to help sustain the life of the developing fetus. According to the Mayo Clinic, these hormones can cause insulin resistance in some women, especially as more are produced in the second and third trimesters. All cells need glucose for energy, and normal cells use insulin as a key to open the door to let glucose in for use. Insulin resistance is a condition where the cells of the body do not use normal amounts of insulin to utilize energy. This causes the glucose to build up in the blood, resulting in hyperglycemia.
Pancreas Response
Another way that diabetes occurs during pregnancy is through the pancreas's response to the insulin resistance described above. When insulin resistance occurs, the pancreas tries to overcompensate and produces extra insulin. According to the American Diabetes Association, this can cause the pancreas to overwork itself and eventually stop producing enough insulin. With too little insulin, the cells cannot utilize the glucose in the blood, causing hyperglycemia.
Other Causes and Risk Factors
According to the American Diabetes Association, there are other potential causes for developing gestational diabetes. Having a previous pregnancy which resulted in a baby weighing more than 9 lbs. may cause or increase the risk for developing the condition, and also for developing type 2 diabetes in the future. Having a family member, especially a parent or sibling, with type 2 diabetes increases the risk of developing diabetes when pregnant. While the connection is still being researched, women over the age of 25 are at an increased risk, as well as those who are overweight before pregnancy and those of Hispanic, American Indian or Asian descent.
