Gestational diabetes is that diabetes found in pregnant women. Though this can be developed at any stage of pregnancy, Gestational diabetes is more common in the second half of pregnancy.
It can cause health problems to both the mother and the child, not only during the pregnancy but also after giving birth. Hence, it is important to diagnose and identify this at the early stages to avoid issues.
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Causes
Gestational diabetes is developed mainly by the hormonal changes of pregnancy. According to medical experts, genetic factors and lifestyle also play their roles.
Insulin Resistance
Gestational diabetes is directly related to the insulin resistance which occurs in every woman during late pregnancy. Most pregnant women produce sufficient amount of insulin to fight against insulin resistance.
Gestational diabetes occurs when a woman cannot produce sufficient amount of insulin to overcome this insulin resistance.
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Overweight and Gestational Diabetes
Similar to that of type 2 diabetes, overweight or obesity also is a major factor of gestational diabetes. Obese women may already have insulin resistance when they become pregnant. Gaining too much weight during pregnancy also leads to gestational diabetes.
Family History and Lifestyle
Apart from overweight or obesity, hormonal changes, genes (family history) and lifestyle also cause gestational diabetes.
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A woman hailing from a family with a history of diabetes is more likely to develop gestational diabetes. This suggests that genes also play their role. Women belonging to some races are also found out to be more prone to gestational diabetes.
