Gestational Diabetes and High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy

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You'll be tested for gestational diabetes this trimester. The test is simple. First, you fast for eight hours. Blood is drawn and tested for fasting glucose levels, Then, the mother-to-be is given a drink which is high in glucose (sugar). She then waits one hour and has another blood sample tested.

While the idea of developing diabetes is frightening, gestational diabetes is a temporary and manageable condition. It does require close medical supervision.

Women who are at increased risk for gestational diabetes:

• have close family members with diabetes (parents or siblings)
• have had gestational diabetes in past pregnancies
• are obese
• are more than 30-years old
• have given birth to babies over 9 pounds in the past
• belong to certain ethnic groups, particularly Hispanics, Native Americans, and African-Americans
• have a history of pregnancy related high-blood pressure

What treatments are available and why should mothers be concerned about gestational diabetes if it's only a temporary problem? What affects mom, may affect baby.

The dangers? Babies whose mothers have Gestational Diabetes can experience several problems.

• They may be large at birth (over 9 pounds). This is called macrosomia.
• Babies may suffer shoulder damage during birth (due to their larger size).
• They may suffer from respiratory distress at birth.
• These newborns may show low levels of glucose in the blood.

The 'cure' for gestational diabetes is birth. While pregnant, the issue is control. Mothers are closely monitored for the remainder of their pregnancy. Particular attention is paid to lowering blood sugar levels via dietary change. Weight is very closely monitored, as well.

The first step is controlling your diet - eliminating excess sugars and starches. It's a very good idea to meet with a nutritionist if you develop Gestational Diabetes. Often, medical insurance will cover a visit to a certified nutritionist.

If dietary changes lower blood glucose levels significantly, then continued good nutrition and blood sugar checks at regular intervals may be all that's necessary. Many doctors suggest that all mothers-to-be learn to monitor their blood sugar at home. Some women require insulin injections, but this is rare.

Women who develop diabetes during pregnancy should be monitored for diabetes after delivery. Almost all will find their diabetes clears up when their little sugar pies arrive. Once baby is born, primary care physicians and eye doctors should be advised about instances of gestational diabetes

While Gestational Diabetes is a concern, often all it takes is a little education and some careful attention to keep it under control. Don't be afraid, be informed. Help yourself to help your baby. Know the risk factors and do your best to keep yourself in good health.

High Blood Pressure
What is blood pressure? Blood pressure is a measurement of the force applied to the walls of the arteries as the heart pumps blood.

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a condition in which the force exerted by the blood onto the walls of the arteries is higher than normal. When your doctor takes a blood pressure reading, he or she expects to see a reading in the range of 110/70 during a routine pregnancy. If the pressure reaches 140/90, you're considered to have high blood pressure.

High blood pressure can remain mild during pregnancy, in which case you simply visit your doctor's office more frequently than other moms-to-be so that your pressure can be monitored and receive fetal well-being testing during the latter days of pregnancy.

Signs of high blood pressure
Headaches. Unexplained, regular headaches. Sometimes, these headaches can be more severe than a typical "stress" headache.

Protein in the urine. This is a sign that kidneys have been affected by blood pressure.

Decreased urination. Your body may be retaining water.

Dizziness and/or lightheadedness. If dizziness or feelings of lightheadedness don't improve after eating or resting, it may be a sign of high blood pressure.

Blurred vision, double vision or flashing lights appearing before your eyes.

Ringing in the ears.

Rapid weight gain due to increased and sudden water retention. If you gain more than five pounds in one week, have your blood pressure checked.

Mental confusion.

Puffy or bloated hands, feet or face are signs of water retention.

However, women experiencing high blood pressure may not notice any symptoms at all, so regular prenatal doctor's visits are essential.

Blood pressure fluctuates during pregnancy
Your blood pressure will probably not change much during your first trimester. Interestingly, most women experience a drop in blood pressure during pregnancy. For some women (about 20%), blood pressure unfortunately can rise to higher than desirable levels during the second or third trimesters resulting in pregnancy induced hypertension.

Why is high blood pressure dangerous during pregnancy? There are risks to both mother and baby.

Extremely high blood pressure compromises mother and baby. It can harm mom's kidneys, liver, heart and vision. And when mom has uncontrolled high blood pressure, it can lead to a low birth and fetal distress during labor.