Pregnancy is a wondrous occasion for any woman, but along with the joys comes plenty of worry. One concern is the development of gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes is high blood sugar that develops during pregnancy. This is a serious disease that can be harmful to both the mother and the unborn baby. FamilyDoctor.org states that around one to three percent of all pregnant women develop gestational diabetes. If a woman develops gestational diabetes during pregnancy, she must be proactive in treating it properly for the health of her baby and herself.
Symptoms of gestational diabetes are often ignored since they mimic normal pregnancy symptoms. It is important that a pregnant woman receives prenatal services in order to detect changes such as high blood sugar.
Extreme Thirst
Once food has been consumed, a lot of it turns to glucose in the blood, providing the body with the energy it needs. Diabetes keeps the body from being able to convert this glucose, so it builds up. The body then tries to naturally bring the sugar levels down by flushing it out through the kidneys. The result is the constant need for a drink. This symptom is different from the regular pregnancy symptom of thirst because it can not be quenched, no matter how much liquid is consumed.
Extreme Hunger
Since the body is unable to convert the sugars consumed into a form usable for energy, a diabetic person will feel hungry. The body is trying to get the fuel it needs to function, which can make the person feel extremely hungry, even after she has already eaten. During pregnancy, it is normal to stay hungry, but with gestational diabetes the hunger can make one feel nauseous.
Rapid Fetal Growth
Because the baby's body has to produce more insulin to control the blood sugar that has become too high, it will begin to store excess fat and tissue. This causes the baby to grow much more rapidly than it should, and could create complications during delivery. The baby's growth could make a vaginal delivery impossible, prompting a Cesarean section delivery.
Sweet Smelling Urine
When the body produces too much glucose, the kidneys will naturally try and filter the blood and push the extra sugar out through the bladder. This is why the urine will have a sweet or particularly foul smell.
Ketoacidosis
Ketoacidosis is a serious condition that causes the body to convert fat into energy because there is no glucose. It is so serious, in fact, that it can lead to diabetic coma, or in the worst cases, death. Ketones are the result of this process occurring in the body. A ketone is an acid that builds up in the blood and can be found in the urine. The American Diabetes Association states that high ketone levels in the body can poison someone if not taken care of quickly. Ketoacidosis is usually only treated in the hospital.
