What Causes Gestational Diabetes

Gestational diabetes can occur in women when they are around their 28th week of pregnancy or later.

Even women who have never had high blood sugar levels can develop gestational diabetes during pregnancy and it is actually very common for women to develop gestational diabetes.

Until now there still hasn't been any explanation as to what exactly causes gestational diabetes. During pregnancy the placenta provides hormones to the baby during its growth. However these hormones also block the production of the mother's insulin causing insulin resistance.

Gestational diabetes occurs when the mother's body is not able to make enough insulin needed for pregnancy. Due to the lack of insulin the glucose in the blood cannot be changed into energy so the glucose builds up in the blood causing high blood glucose levels.

This is why it is important to get regular checkups during pregnancy and blood work as well to be alert if gestational diabetes occurs. As soon as you are diagnosed with gestational diabetes you should follow a gestational diabetes diet plan and in some cases you may need insulin injections as well.

Though gestational diabetes usually goes away after giving birth you and your baby can still be at higher risk to get diabetes later on. However if you carefully follow a diet plan you can have a healthy pregnancy and birth.