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All About Women

A patient-centered practice for all stages of a woman's life

Gainesville, FL (352) 331-3332
6440 W Newberry Rd, Ste 111

Lake City, FL (386) 754-1744
4447 NW American Ln, Ste 102

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Blog / Pregnancy & Prenatal Care / Gestational Diabetes: Causes, Symptoms & Treatments

Gestational Diabetes: Causes, Symptoms & Treatments

November 5, 2020 By Liliana Zapien

causes of gestational diabetes

When you’re pregnant, there are a lot of extra worries and things you can’t do… or eat… or drink. Then you might get midway through the pregnancy and add another stressor to the list: you have gestational diabetes. This can be especially scary if you don’t have a history of diabetes and have never dealt with it.

Even though it is unfortunate, take heart because you can make some adjustments and still have a healthy pregnancy and baby.

What causes gestational diabetes?

About 10 percent of all pregnant women are diagnosed with gestational diabetes.

What causes it?

Well, scientists and doctors know some of what causes it, but it’s still a little bit of a mystery as to why it affects some women and not others. It can also be puzzling because a healthy woman, who has no blood sugar issues when she’s not pregnant, can get it during pregnancy, but then be back to normal soon afterward.

We know that during pregnancy, your hormones can sometimes block insulin or not make enough insulin. Both of these things can lead to a build-up of glucose in your blood, which then can lead to hyperglycemia and gestational diabetes.

What are the symptoms of gestational diabetes?

Even if a pregnant woman has gestational diabetes, she often doesn’t know it until she does a glucose test. This is because symptoms are usually very mild and can easily go unnoticed. The only common symptoms that some pregnant women with gestational diabetes notice are that they are more thirsty and have to urinate more frequently (but don’t all pregnant women?).

The real thing to take note of is whether or not your immediate family has a history of diabetes. If they do, then it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor and watch your sugar intake from the beginning of your pregnancy all the way through. If not, all pregnant women do a glucose test midway through pregnancy, so you’ll be able to find out then if you have gestational diabetes.

Can you treat gestational diabetes?

If you do have gestational diabetes, there are a couple of different treatment options. The preferred option (if you have a more mild form) is to treat it with a change in diet and increased exercise. It’s important to work with an experienced OB to figure out a plan that will keep you and your baby safe.

However, sometimes diet and exercise aren’t quite enough. In more severe causes, pregnant women with gestational diabetes have to change their diet and exercise, but also take daily medication.

The most important thing is to keep your blood sugar levels stable so that you and your baby are not negatively affected.

How can gestational diabetes affect my baby?

If gestational diabetes is managed well during pregnancy, then most likely your baby will not be highly affected. If it’s not, then there are several complications that can happen to your baby:

  • Preterm birth (and all the possible complications that go with it)
  • Higher risk of C-section because of too much weight gain
  • Respiratory distress syndrome (difficulty breathing) after birth
  • Higher risk of being hypoglycemic
  • Higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes as an adult

Talk to an experienced doctor about gestational diabetes

If you’re worried about developing gestational diabetes or if you already have it, make sure you talk to a knowledgeable obstetrician about your health throughout your pregnancy. Together, you can come up with a plan to keep you and your baby as healthy as possible.

If you need to find an OB and live in central Florida, make an appointment with one of our caring obstetricians at All About Women today.

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Filed Under: Pregnancy & Prenatal Care Tagged With: nutrition, pregnancy care, Well Woman care

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Being a patient-centered practice goes well beyond seeing patients in our office. We want to help you find important answers before you even step in the door. Our OB/GYN blog helps us accomplish this goal but more importantly, helps women like you better understand your unique health needs. Browse around and learn more about pregnancy, general women’s health, exciting new research and more!

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All About Women Obstetrics and Gynecology – Gainesville

Gainesville
6440 W Newberry Rd, Ste 111
Gainesville, FL 32605
(352) 331-3332


All About Women Obstetrics and Gynecology – Lake Cit

Lake City
4447 NW American Ln, Ste 102
Lake City, FL 32055
(386) 754-1744


 

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Gainesville and Lake City OB/GYN Care
OB/GYN doctors at All About Women, Obstetrics & Gynecology offer personalized, technologically advanced obstetrics and gynecology services from Board Certified OB/GYB physicians. Besides expert women's healthcare, permanent birth control and prenatal care, OB/GYN doctors also offers advanced hysterectomy surgery in and around the Gainesville area.


Women's Health Care in Alachua & Columbia Counties
With offices in Gainesville and Lake City, Florida, All About Women, M.D. provides expert OB/GYN services covering the entire range of women's healthcare needs. Our OB/GYN physicians and nurse midwives provide expert care during pregnancy as well as state of the art in-office treatments for gynecologic disorders including Novasure endometrial ablation to treat/stop heavy menstrual bleeding.


Personalized & Expert Prenatal Care
Gainesville obstetricians at All About Women, M.D. help ensure pregnancy goes as smoothly as possible by offering the best prenatal care available. And for those having difficulty getting pregnant, AAW obstetricians and gynecologists offer couples the best infertility help and treatment available.


Advanced Minimally Invasive Surgery: daVinci Surgical System
Clinic founder Dr. Anthony Agrios, Board Certified Obstetrician and Gynecologist also specializes in the daVinci Robotic surgery system, a minimally invasive option commonly used for a hysterectomy and other procedures. Instead of creating several small incisions like traditional surgical methods, OB/GYN surgeons simply open one incision with the daVinci system to complete the procedure. Not only do patients experience less pain and blood loss, they recover and get back to normal much faster.


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OB/GYN Tips: Choosing an OB/GYN : Robotic Hysterectomy

Infertility & Reproduction Health: Infertility Treatment : Permanent Birth Control

Women's Health: Preventive Care : Well Women Care : Mammogram Screenings : Abnormal Periods

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