Gestational Diabetes and Its Impact on Pregnancy Health
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a pregnancy complication that affects how your body processes sugar. Diagnosed for the first time during pregnancy, GDM is a condition that needs to be managed to ensure health for both you and your baby. While it often goes away after delivery, its impact on pregnancy and long-term health is big. You need to understand this condition. What is Gestational Diabetes and Why Does It Happen? During pregnancy, the placenta produces hormones that can make your body resistant to insulin, the hormone that regulates blood sugar. For most, the pancreas just produces more insulin to compensate. But when the pancreas can’t keep up, blood sugar levels rise and you get gestational diabetes. This isn’t just for those with a pre-existing risk; it’s a pregnancy complication that can happen to anyone. The Impact on Your Health If left unmanaged, GDM can lead to many serious health issues for you: Preeclampsia: GDM increases your risk of preeclampsia, a serious c...