Sometimes, we can see perfectly healthy, hitherto disease-free women suddenly developing diabetes during their pregnancy. Then, as if by magic, the condition completely disappears after they have delivered the baby. How does this happen and is there a close connection between diabetes and pregnancy?

The answer to this question is ‘yes’. There are two types of Diabetes Mellitus in pregnant women. Some women who get pregnant are already diabetic, whereas some other women get it only when they are carrying. This ‘temporary pregnancy’, if we can so refer to it, is called ‘gestational diabetes’.

Though temporary, gestational diabetes may end up causing some trouble for both the mother and the infant, but not much. Many women who are already diabetic, however, may also have hormonal complications, which make it difficult both to conceive and deliver. Also, diabetic women generally give birth to much larger babies. In case the blood sugar levels of a pregnant woman are very high, it might sometimes even prove to be fatal for the unborn child.

Why does this gestational diabetes occur?

Pregnancy is a physically stressful event in a woman’s life. Her hormones fluctuate wildly during this time, causing many changes in her body. The sudden emergence of the placental hormones is what makes the body unresponsive to insulin, thereby creating diabetes. This basically shows up during the second and third trimesters.

Though this usually disappears after childbirth, the woman stands a risk of developing Type 2 diabetes later in life. She may experience this phenomenon during each of her other pregnancies as well.

Controlling gestational diabetes

This condition can fortunately brought under control with medication, diet and exercise. Watch out if you are obese – you are then at more risk of developing this disorder. Eat well, exercise well and just enjoy life and let go of fears. Rest assured, your diabetes will be under perfect control during your pregnancy!