About 8% of pregnant women get gestational diabetes, a type of diabetes that only happens during pregnancy and affects how your body processes glucose. It typically goes away after you have your baby, but managing it is essential to protect your and your baby’s well-being.
Identifying gestational diabetes early can help you avoid complications, and our team at Endocrine Associates of West Village is here to help. We specialize in gestational diabetes management and work with expectant mothers to help them understand the importance of proactive screening and treatment.
Gestational diabetes screening is a standard part of prenatal care in the United States because the condition often comes with no apparent symptoms. However, gestational diabetes can sometimes come with warning signs — and here’s what to watch for.
Increased thirst and frequent urination are common symptoms of diabetes because excess glucose in your blood makes your kidneys work overtime to filter and absorb the excess sugar.
When your kidneys can't keep up, the excess sugar is excreted into your urine, drawing fluids from your tissues and dehydrating you. The result may be more frequent thirst and urination as your body attempts to restore lost fluids.
Feeling tired is common during pregnancy, but extreme fatigue might be a sign of gestational diabetes. Your body isn’t able to use sugar effectively for energy when you have gestational diabetes, leading to feelings of tiredness and lethargy.
It's important to distinguish between normal pregnancy fatigue and fatigue that could indicate gestational diabetes. If you feel overwhelmingly tired despite adequate rest and nutrition, it's worth discussing with your healthcare provider.
Blurred vision can also be an early warning sign of gestational diabetes. High blood sugar levels can cause changes in fluid levels and lead to swelling in your eye's lens, affecting your ability to focus. While blurred vision can be a temporary issue related to hormonal changes in pregnancy, it can also signal gestational diabetes.
Pregnant women with gestational diabetes may be more susceptible to infections, particularly urinary tract infections (UTIs) and yeast infections. High blood sugar levels create an environment that allows bacteria and yeast to thrive, increasing your risk of infections. That means if you notice frequent infections during your pregnancy, it could be a sign of gestational diabetes.
The above symptoms can be early warning signs of gestational diabetes, but in most cases, gestational diabetes doesn’t cause noticeable symptoms. And because they can also be common pregnancy symptoms, prenatal gestational diabetes screening is essential.
Screenings typically occur between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy but can be done earlier if you're at higher risk. They usually involve a glucose tolerance test, where your blood sugar levels are measured after consuming a sugary drink.
Getting screened helps make sure you get the care you need during pregnancy. Unmanaged gestational diabetes can lead to complications like high birth weight, premature delivery, and increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life. Early detection allows us to implement strategies to keep your blood sugar levels within a healthy range until your baby is born.
Understanding the early signs of gestational diabetes and the importance of prenatal screening can help set you up for a healthier pregnancy, and our team at Endocrine Associates of West Village is ready to help. Schedule an appointment online or call one of our offices in Brooklyn, Long Island City, or New York, New York, today.
